He's more commonly associated with the snow than the sand, but for the past four years Santa Claus has dutifully turned out at Shellharbour North Beach to have his photo taken with local families ahead of Christmas.
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Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club's Will Furney is behind Santa's annual appearance, which raises money for the club and, in turn, the services it provides for the community.
He was inspired after seeing other clubs undertake similar projects, he said, and thought it was a nice reflection of Christmas in Australia.
Mr Furney said it was also a way to reach out and bring the community closer to the club.
The initiative has grown massively - the first year there were 60 photos booked in, while this year a huge 660 tickets have been sold - and Mr Furney tries to accommodate as many people as possible.
This year, a mother approached to have a more private photo session because her son wasn't well, and photographer Christine Bernasconi took extra care to make sure she got the best photo she could.
The mother later got in contact to say thank you - her son was terminally ill, and she said the photo captured him as the family knew him and wanted to remember him.
Another woman also booked in to have a Santa photo taken, but wanted to make it the first family photo for her baby - who was not yet born.
She later contacted Mr Furney with the news that she had given birth to her little boy, so Mr Furney made sure he fit her in for this coming Saturday, to ensure she could get the Christmas photo she'd hoped for.
The photos are not limited to human family members, though - while dogs aren't allowed on the beach, the club has arranged a set-up on the concrete so people can have their pets pose alongside Santa, too.
Mr Furney said he spent two to three hours a day organising the photos, in between his 12-hour shifts as a raw materials tester at BlueScope.
He and a handful of others pull on the red suit for the photos, but he said it was actually hard to find volunteer Santas.
"Once they do it, they love it," Mr Furney said.
This year the Santa photos have so far raised $23,000 for the club.
Mr Furney said the club saw it as part of their service for the community, with the profits going back into education and life-saving equipment.
The club also gives some of the takings to the photographers - who this year are Jemma Colville and Christine Bernasconi - who work hard to get the perfect festive shot.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
