A high-powered corporate career has taken an unexpectedly festive turn for one Canberra retiree, who now spends his December days in a red suit and white beard. Alan Evans, the former chief executive of major national organisations like the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) and Medicines Australia, has embraced a new role: Santa Claus at the Canberra Centre.
A surprising second act brings festive joy
Alan Evans never anticipated his post-retirement plans would involve managing queues of excited children and calming nervous toddlers. Yet, for six days a week in the lead-up to Christmas, he dons the iconic Santa suit, putting a lifetime of executive skills to a very different use. He took on the role for the shopping centre's annual Christmas photos in 2024 after his daughter suggested he help fill a Santa shortage.
The costume might be warm, but the rewards are immeasurable. "I have to say, you don't do it for the money - it's thoroughly enjoyable. You've still got those kids who believe," Alan says. He finds great satisfaction in coaxing shy children out of their shells, noting that a positive attitude can work wonders. "You go home after a session, you think, 'Gee, that was really fun'."
Heartwarming and heartbreaking Christmas wishes
From his chair in the Canberra Centre, Alan has a front-row seat to the holiday rush and the diverse tapestry of family life. He meets adult children sending photos to parents overseas, witnesses multi-generational traditions, and fields a wide array of requests. Trends shift yearly; he's noted fewer requests for smartphones in 2025 compared to 2024.
However, the role also comes with moments of poignant honesty. One of the most memorable and heartbreaking requests came from a child last year who simply wanted "mummy and daddy to get back together for Christmas." In such situations, Alan offers gentle wisdom, explaining that while Santa can do many things, some wishes are beyond his magic. "You say, 'Look, Santa can do some things but not others, but never stop wishing for what you really like'," he reflects.
Training, pets, and the magic of bubbles
The job requires more preparation than one might think. All Santas undergo training on conduct and behaviour, and Alan emphasises the importance of not making assumptions about family relationships—a lesson learned after mistakenly identifying a father's new girlfriend as a child's mother.
He also makes a point of browsing toy store shelves to stay current with the latest must-have items, from Lego sets to Barbie dolls. The pet photo sessions present a unique logistical challenge, with past visitors including a pet frog and a goat. "The frog takes the cake," Alan admits, recalling how its owner was too worried it would jump away to let Santa hold it.
As for the secret to soothing upset babies for the perfect picture? Alan swears by one simple tool: bubbles. "Bubbles are magic, particularly to get a younger one to look at the camera or if they're upset," he reveals. It's a small trick that encapsulates the joy and gentle problem-solving at the heart of his unexpected, yet deeply rewarding, Christmas vocation.
