Post card from the North Pole
Behind every great Santa is a story of a wonderful life lived and a passion for spreading joy. Join us as we peek ‘Behind the Beard’ in our series of interviews with the jolly gentlemen who bring the magic of Christmas to life.
Step into their world and discover the heartfelt, candid moments that make being Santa with Scene to Believe a special experience.
Meet Santa Bruce
Step into the magical world of Santa Bruce, a man who has been a purveyor of Christmas cheer for over 55 years. From his career as a Systems Assurance Analyst to becoming a symbol of wonder, Bruce’s journey is one of dedication and a deep love for the season. His warmth and pride in the role are what make him the perfect character to launch our “Behind the Beard” series. Prepare to be inspired by his delightful tales and heartfelt commitment to the red suit.
Behind the Beard
Bruce built his career as a Systems Assurance Analyst and Computer Specialist, then spent 15 years self-employed before retiring. He has played Santa for over 55 years, taking a brief break before realising Christmas wasn’t the same for him without the role. His mother suggested answering a local ad for Santa, which led Bruce to his first shopping centre appearance—an experience that immediately captivated him! He recalls:
My friends used to go fruit picking, which was far too energetic for me, so I went to the local shopping centre and played dress up on Santa’s behalf. My work ended on the 24th of December and was paid more than I would have, picking fruit.
Now, as Bruce nears his 13th season with Scene to Believe, he doesn’t count the years—he simply looks forward to each new opportunity. His excitement remains, no matter the location.
The part-time nature of the role allows him to revel in the Christmas spirit without it becoming a monotonous job. He loves the easy-going and fun environment, and the camaraderie of working with like-minded and cheerful people is also a draw card!
I am performing an important role, embracing families with the joy of Christmas. This can only be done by wearing the red suit and becoming Santa. Knowing that a child or family has been entertained in the traditional Christmas spirit, created in part by me and the (Scene to Believe) team, is fabulous.
The Santa Journey...
Santa Bruce particularly enjoys the role of training Santas. He makes it his mission to help those new to the Santa Character role understand the importance of embodying the festive spirit when they step into the red suit and truly become Santa. His favourite part is upholding the ideal of Santa in the eyes of both young children and older family members.
Having attended quite a few of the Jingle & Mingle events, he understands that for some, the first event may seem daunting, but he has found these to be welcoming, friendly, and enjoyable. Through these events, Bruce has made many new friendships and learnt handy tips along the way for playing such an important role in the community. He highly recommends joining in.
The Magic of the Role
For Bruce, there is nothing not to love about being Santa. He believes the role is all about the joy it brings to families. He’s even had parents so excited that they want to sit on his knee!
Christmas is special to him as it’s a time to be with family and friends and to give to those less fortunate without expecting anything in return. Reminiscing on moments from the throne, Bruce recalls the funniest thing a child has ever asked for was when a young boy asked, “to give his older sister a bag of coal!”
There was a heartwarming moment when two children aged about 5 and 6 years old brought with them a very well-loved teddy bear, which they insisted be included in the photo. After the photos were taken, they explained to Santa that the teddy belonged to their little sister, who is no longer with us, and they wanted to include her. All went well for their visit, as Bruce reflects, “it was Santa that needed to brush a couple of tears from his eyes before the next family arrived.”
These small moments are like windows into the imagination and the beautiful nature of the children, making the role even more rewarding and special. For Bruce, being able to share some joy to help make a difference and keep a sense of optimism and magic in their life is very rewarding. He stays cheerful and jolly during visits naturally—it’s just a part of who he is.
Wisdom from the Workshop
Bruce’s advice for aspiring Santas is simple:
His tips for newcomers to the role are to be on time, look the part, and remember to take a breath and smile. When a child is shy or nervous, he recommends it’s best to speak quietly, offer a jolly chuckle and a big smile to create a warm, inviting space for the child to get comfortable. He’ll often engage with the parents first to put everyone at ease until the child warms up to him. His top tips for new Santas are:
His advice for someone thinking about becoming Santa is to find a mentor, to talk to someone with experience playing Santa. He says, the best first contact is Scene To Believe, as they can organise a call with the Santa Ambassador in their home state.
Moments to Remember
There are times that stand out for Bruce. He especially feels honoured when parents give the privilege of holding their newborns for a photo. Snugling these beautiful youngsters who often snuggled into Santa’s soft fur on his jacket, makes him feel very proud to do this job.
A Little Extra Sparkle
Outside of Christmas, now retired, Bruce enjoys travelling, escaping the city, and a spot of fishing. You can spot him below with a catch…and may notice his salt and pepper beard which Bruce sprays white when in the red suit! He’s also an apiarist — a passionate beekeeper who can happily talk for hours about his beloved hives and the fascinating world of bees. But what really gives him a buzz, and perhaps the reason he returns year after year as Santa, is:
If he could send one message to every parent, it would be this:
And for the children:
He doesn’t have a favourite Christmas carol but loves hearing the music in the shopping centres. What makes him pull on the red suit each year? Pride, excitement, and his love of spreading joy to a wide variety of children and families: “It just makes you feel good. Love it.”
Bruce is a seasoned Santa we found this sparkling gem from when even interviewed by Channel 9 in 2023 — and when asked what keeps him coming back year after year, his answer was simple and full of heart:“It’s that smile on the children’s faces. They come up and say, ‘Oh Santa, Santa, we love you, Santa!’” 🎅❤️
Inspired by Behind the Beard?
If this story in our blog ‘Behind the Beard’ has sparked something in you, why not join the merry crew bringing Christmas magic to life with us?
As a Scene to Believe Santa Character, you’ll enjoy full training and support, be part of a joyful community, and share in the camaraderie that comes from spreading holiday cheer.
Discover the perks and the joy that come with stepping into the red suit — learn more or send us an enquiry at scenetobelieve.com.au/santa-jobs.
Your next great story could start right this year (as we still need a few extra Santas!)
