When we say everyone needs a border pass to cross into Queensland, we mean EVERYONE.
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Even the man in red was not exempt when Santa did an early lolly run in the border township of Wallangarra/Jennings on Wednesday evening.
Santa had to present his border pass to officials after he crossed back into Queensland after distributing lollies on the NSW side of the border.
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Stacey Thomas organised the run in her role as vice president of the Wallangarra/Jennings Progress Association, after Covid restrictions forced the cancellation of the association's popular Christmas Fair.
For younger residents the visit from Santa is the highlight of the fair, so the association came up with an idea for local kids to have some interaction with Santa in a socially-distanced manner.
So Santa rode the local streets on the back of ute distributing lollies. He started at the Wallangarra Hall before crossing into NSW (via the highway, as other access points are now barricaded), doing a lap around Jennings and then back into Wallangarra, after getting his border pass checked.
Ms Thomas said initial plans for a police escort were stymied when local police were rostered on to man the checkpoint, but at least the constabulary got a chance to catch up with Santa there.
Brisbane-based Senior Transport Inspector Drew Bennedick had the honour of checking Santa's credentials, providing a highlight for his time on the border. After receiving 20 minutes notice to depart home for his Wallangarra posting when the hard border was put in place, Mr Bennedick will be apart from his family for Christmas, returning next Tuesday.
"But we're proud of the job we're doing here, and my family is proud too," he said.