Old Bar Christmas Tree

Old Bar’s Christmas Tree has quietly grown over the past 40 years despite its neglect. Behind a muddied sign, the origins of this tree are revealed. It was planted near the Old Bar tennis courts in 1984 by Alderman Noni Carle. Noni’s hope was that the tree would become a feature in years to come and decorated in the Christmas season.¹

Noni Bishop began her career as a tailoress at Glenthorne, then married Gordon Carle of Cundletown in 1949.² They lived much of their married life at Chatham where Gordon was a market gardener in McRae Avenue. Like most married woman on the electoral rolls, Noni’s job was listed as “home duties”.³ However, this was far from the case. Noni was strong and passionate about her community and in 1965 was elected an Alderman of the Taree Municipal Council. She continued to be elected to office for the next 27 years.

Noni’s interest was in public works but she was also concerned with the “little things” such as unkept parklands and littered streets. Confined to a hospital bed for months, she continued her duties by phoning Council to have issues included on the agendas.

Alderman Carle died in hospital in 1993 aged 67 years while still in office.⁴ She is remembered by a small park on the corner of McRae Avenue, Chatham and in Old Bar with her lighted Christmas tree.

Author: Janine Roberts