Geoff's gift of Christmas joy: keeping hope alive
In Sydney’s Villawood, a tight-knit community with its fair share of economic struggles, local businessman and rugby league legend Geoff Robinson created a Christmas tradition that touched many lives. For nearly 30 years, Geoff dressed as Santa, arriving on the back of a ute to hand out stockings filled with lollies and chocolates to children who might otherwise have missed out. With his children as elves by his side, he spread joy simply because he cared.
Last Christmas, in honour of Geoff’s life and legacy, his family carried on that spirit of giving. Together, they filled two vanloads with toys and donations for The Salvation Army to distribute in the community Geoff loved so much.
A Villawood legend’s commitment to community
When Geoff passed away in mid-2023, his family was devastated. His daughter Simone describes him as a man who gave generously to both his loved ones and his community.
“Dad was very generous and an empath. My dad was a family man. Everything was about family. He was married to Mum for close to 50 years. And he loved us all. He was a great son to his mum, who is still alive. He had four siblings himself and was a loving father and grandfather. He also loved his community and his mates.”
While Geoff was well known for his sporting success as a Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs premiership player, Simone says that at home, he was simply “Poppy”.
She remembers the Christmas family traditions with warmth, including Geoff cooking a hot Christmas lunch, even in 42-degree heat, and stockpiling festive treats.
“He loved everything about it. From cooking festive feasts to collecting coloured pickled onions, pretzels and chocolate Santa stockings, he embraced the season with joy. But what he loved most, and what we all treasured, was watching him play Santa. Whether he was handing out gifts to his kids and grandkids or riding in the back of his ute dressed as Santa to deliver stockings to the local children, he brought smiles and magic to everyone around him.”
Simone recalls that Geoff was always ready to help, whether it was asked for or not.
“If I needed him, he’d be there in a heartbeat. If I didn’t need him but he heard my lawns were a bit long, I’d hear the mower going at 7.30 in the morning.
“Everything was about his family, his community, his mates.”
Honouring a legacy with a Christmas appeal
As Christmas 2024 approached, Simone felt the ache of her father’s absence more deeply. Knowing how much Christmas had meant to Geoff, the family decided to honour him by doing what he loved most — helping others. They decided on a Christmas toy drive and gathered toys and donations for The Salvation Army to share to support local families facing hardship.
“As Christmas came closer, it didn’t feel like Christmas at all,” Simone says. “Dad always made it special for our family — kids, grandkids, my nan, my pop, my aunties, uncles, my brother’s wives, everyone.”
With the support of her siblings and their families, Simone led the effort to gather donations for distribution by The Salvation Army. An exercise physiologist who runs her own neurological rehabilitation business, Simone also teaches Pilates at a local women’s health centre and her class quickly got involved.
“The lovely women in my Pilates community knew I had lost my dad. Some of them had lost their own dads and understood. Others had kids and knew how mine were probably feeling. A ridiculous amount of donations came from the Pilates ladies and also from my work.”
Her siblings, now running Geoff’s business, also helped spread the word.
“They sent an email out, and more generosity poured in. One of Dad’s colleagues, Tony, donated $2000.”
Even the youngest family members played a part.
“Two of my brothers gave their kids $500 each and said, ‘Here you go, fill the trolley up’. They knew it was for Poppy, and they did it for Poppy. It was a really nice way for my nieces and nephews to do something in his honour.”
By the end, they had collected two full vanloads of gifts as well as a significant financial donation, which were distributed through Liverpool Salvation Army.
Simone says the family’s toy drive and Christmas appeal felt like the perfect way to carry on that joy.
“The toy drive is our way of continuing his legacy of spreading love, laughter and generosity during the holiday season.”
Simone is certain her dad would have been “beyond thrilled”.
“He taught us generosity, and we’ve passed that onto our children. I am so grateful for the traits Dad gave me — giving, empathy, courage. He also told us, ‘It’s OK to be sad. Let it out’.”
For Simone and her family, the donation drive was more than a tribute — it was a joyful reminder of the man they loved.
“This was a way for Dad to still play Santa and help those who need it most. It keeps the idea of Dad being Santa alive,” Simone smiles. “Dad would have loved it.”
Gifts for those in most need
Kianna Spicer, who co-leads Liverpool Salvation Army, says Simone’s story was a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is really about.
“Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year and it’s so easy to get caught up in the constant demands and extreme needs of others. Meeting Simone and hearing the beautiful story of her dad’s ongoing generosity to our local community was the perfect reminder of the true meaning of Christmas — to show and share the love of Jesus with others.”