Christmas is supposed to be a jovial, exciting time where people can focus on the Yuletide spirit and all that it entails. It's an occasion to bring the masses together and help your neighbour out. Instead it seems that City of Hobart has somehow become the Christmas Grinch.

This December’s Hobart Carols by Candlelight event will now be a ticketed, scaled-down version of its former self, with Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey claiming that the cost factor associated with a big event was simply too expensive. Instead ExitLeft Productions will host an event at St David’s Cathedral, where a crowd of 650 people can fit, across the weekend of December 9-10.

Previously, the council helped fund outside family-friendly concerts at St David’s Park and the Botanical Gardens, attracting thousands of patrons.

Last year the event was hosted by children’s entertainment personality Jimmy Giggle and attracted criticism after tickets for the event were snapped up as soon as they became publicly available.

Alderman Hickey called on the state government to pledge $100,000 for an outdoor concert after Premier Will Hodgman expressed his disappointment at the news.

There is no reason for the government to give $100,000 to the Hobart council for a community-run event when it can find other means to its end.  Launceston’s Carols by Candlelight is the perfect example. It does not rely on government coffers – it relies on community spirit.

Instead, it is run by an enthusiastic group of community members from the Rotary Club of Tamar Sunrise, which approaches the region’s corporate sponsors for financial help. The event showcases local talent – think the City of Launceston RSL band, Travis Hennessy, Frank Kerr, Nathan Wheldon, Kerri Gay and Matthew Garwood – who donate their time for the occasion. 

Entry is affordable, with profits raised from the event donated to The Examiner’s Empty Stocking Appeal, which is then dispersed to four local charities – the City Mission, Launceston Benevolent Society, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul.

Hobart - take a leaf out of your Northern neighbour's carols book and find another way to let the community come together with its picnic rugs and candles to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.