by Jack, age 9 from Perth, Australia, asks Santa about Christmas Island, the Swan River, and Australia’s distant territories.
Dear Santa, my name is Jack, and I am nine years old. I live in Perth, Australia, and my mum says we are one of the most isolated big cities in the whole world, so far from everywhere else that our nearest big-city neighbor is basically across an ocean.
Dear Jack, Perth’s splendid isolation has never once slowed me down, distance has never scared off a determined sleigh.
Santa, I have three questions.
Have you been to Christmas Island? My dad says it is actually part of Australia even though it is really far from us.
I have been many times, Jack, and your dad is exactly right, Christmas Island belongs to Australia even though it sits far out in the Indian Ocean, much closer to Indonesia than to Perth. I always enjoy that stop, especially when the famous red crabs are on the move.
My mum says Perth sits on a river called the Swan River. Is that true?
It is true, Jack, the Swan River winds right through the heart of Perth on its way to the Indian Ocean, and I always follow it in for a smooth landing among your riverside lights.
My dad says it is unusual for a country to govern an island so far away from its main cities. Is that true?
It is true, Jack, Australia governs several territories far from the mainland, including Christmas Island, which shows how a country can care for and connect with communities even across great distances. Distance never has to mean disconnection, and honestly, that is a philosophy I try to live by every single December 25th.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Jack Sullivan
Perth, Australia
P.S. Can you bring me a picture of the red crabs next time you visit?
I will do my best, Jack, though the crabs move quickly and rarely pose for photographs.
