UPDATED: Safety rules end Tingira Heights’ 51-year Santa lolly throwing tradition on local streets

9 December 2025

Tuesday 11:20am update

There is a new update from Fire and Rescue Tingira Heights which was posted at 11:20am today, they are now going to continue on with the lolly run, but insead of throwing the lollies they will be stopping off at pre-determined points along the way, see the 2 screenshots below.

Original Post (1 of 2):

NEW Post at 11:20am (2 of 2):

Earlier Original Article:

newy.com.au – Fire and Rescue NSW Station 500 at Tingira Heights has told residents its 51-year-old Christmas Eve lolly run will no longer driving local streets “as we have done” this year after safety and legal concerns about throwing lollies from fire trucks were raised.

For generations the station’s Santa run, crewed by retained firefighters who give up family time on Christmas Eve, has been a much-loved fixture in Lake Macquarie and part of a broader tradition of fire brigade “lolly runs” across the Hunter and NSW. The decision has prompted an emotional response from locals and raised questions about how new safety rules will reshape festive community events.

In an online post (and in various comments), Tingira Heights firefighters said their organisation had “highlighted the risk of harm to the public caused by the throwing of lollies” and they were warned that they “may be committing various criminal offences” if they continued the long-running practice. The post said the Christmas Eve event “for the last 51 years” had been staffed by dedicated retained firefighters who hold other careers but “sacrifice valuable family time” to serve the community.

“Therefore we will not be driving the streets as we have done,” the station wrote, adding that a new format for the lolly run is being developed and may not be guaranteed beyond this year. The post continued: “We understand that many in the community will be saddened at this news, as are we. Please do not take this out on any of our team. Thankyou for your support.”

In replies to residents, the station said the change followed a “new rule that has gone out to every NSW Fire Rescue station state wide” and that “we are not allowed to throw lollies from our fire trucks it’s much safer to hand them out at the parks”. Firefighters told followers they were working on a plan to have Santa and crews meet families at local parks on Christmas Eve instead.

The shift comes only weeks after the station publicly thanked Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group for helping to fund “the traditional annual Lolly Run for 2025” through its community support program, support also noted in NCIG’s sustainability reporting. An online guide to Santa runs published last week likewise listed Tingira Heights as planning its “traditional annual Lolly Run” on Wednesday 24 December 2025.

Dozens of locals have responded to the announcement on social media, many describing the Tingira Heights lolly run as a defining part of their childhood. One resident, Mel Taylor, wrote: “This is my favourite Christmas tradition and has been since I was a child! My kids and I have been stocking up on lollies to drop off to you guys as we have the last few years! Is there any way around this?”

Others were frustrated with the change. “You firies are our heroes risking your lives to save others every day and also first responders,” Megan Lockhart wrote, adding: “The one fun thing you guys do for us and our kids is the lollie run and some joker says it’s illegal and dangerous. What on earth have we, as a society, become.”

Some commenters suggested alternatives, including gathering at parks or involving community groups so that Santa could still hand out bags of lollies safely. One resident noted that Cameron Park and Raymond Terrace already use park-based events where Santa and crews visit several playgrounds, stay for a period and then move on, an approach Tingira Heights firefighters have indicated they are now exploring.

Across the Hunter and Lake Macquarie, many brigades had advertised Santa or lolly runs this month, along with a range of NSW Rural Fire Service brigades but at the time of publication we are unaware of any changes except for Kurri Kurri shifting to a similar model of park visits, telling residents that “for the safety and enjoyment of everyone in the community, Santa will not be making his way down the streets” and encouraging families to meet the fire truck at set locations instead.

For now, Tingira Heights firefighters say they are working on a revised Christmas Eve plan that will comply with the new rules while still bringing Santa and lollies to local children, promising to publish details once park locations and times are confirmed. The station has warned, though, that the future of the event beyond this year remains uncertain under the updated safety requirements.