South Lismore Post Office has a Christmas initiative that is bringing a deeper meaning to kids and community this year. 

The new postmaster, Tracy Ward, is reaching out to kids and signing them up on a contract with Santa to be on his Nice List by engaging with creative projects for the older generations in Lismore.

Tracy is the mastermind behind this endeavour, and her aim is to actively engage kids in pastimes that capture their imaginations, and get them thinking about kindness and others less fortunate.

There is a big leatherbound book in the Post Office - Santas Good Deeds Book or Nice List where kids enter a contract with Santa to do certain creative projects for the elderly. Each time they complete a project, the book gets stamped and they select a heart sticker to go on the rain gauge.

Tracy is amazing with children, and artfully relates the nature of the contract, complete with the exciting benefits and ramifications if the contract isn't met (the naughty list).

“When children come into the store, they're in a position where they can make a contract with Santa. Santa has sent us his Good Deeds Book.

“As soon as you put your name, your age and you stamp the page, that is a binding contract to engage in activities between now and Christmas. 

“If there are enough children that enact enough acts of kindness that can over fill our rain gauge - which is the height that the flood was in 2022, it beats the height of the flood. 

“This proves to the children that hearts will soar higher than a river ever could.

(Frankie and Isla signed up, and helped put the first letters and picture into Poppy the post box, and then placed the first hearts on the rain gauge this week)

“Then Santa will know that the children of South Lismore care, and he is going to turn Ettie, (the name of the post office - after its first postmistress) into a Gingerbread house at Christmas time. And it will become part of a Christmas walk down the main street here.

“There is a different challenge each month, and this month is to draw a picture that would make an elderly person smile.”

Tracy has received her first pictures, and even a letter to Santa. They all go into Poppy, Santa's post box, for processing. Seeing the kids engage has made Tracy so happy.

(Tracy receiving her first artworks from children)

“The store was so full of laughter today. Kath and Dave (who work at the post office) are getting in on it. Dave has become the Grinch, and plays his part well.”

Tracy is determined to bring the magic back to the area. 

"Magic is very much a part of the South Lismore Post office - positive things have been occurring to make this space special and unique."

(The Sydney Postmaster desk)

After a chance event, the original Sydney Postmasters desk now resides in the South Lismore Post office, as does a postcard over 100 years old that was sent from the South Lismore Post Office originally. Ask Tracy for the story.

The other piece of whimsy that is bringing kids joy is the sunflower in the window. Tracy was originally looking for something with a rainbow for the rainbow region.  

The Sunflower, which was made from flood glass, is a unique find and took pride of place. After hanging, it was discovered that the white petals throw a rainbow of light every afternoon at around 4pm.

“People have been popping in just to tell us how much they enjoy the vibe.

“It’s a privilege to be a postmaster in South Lismore.”

For a lovely holiday treat, take your kids down to visit the post office to see if they want to be in Santa's Good Deeds Book!