The third-generation Walbundrie farmer, in the NSW Riverina, has taken a well-earned break from shearing to help Santa figure out a few crucial Christmas details.

“I’ve dressed up as Santa for a couple years – a lot of kids know who you are and still enjoy it,” he said.

“There’s no real trick to it, but you have to be happy.”

Many of the region’s farming families will be looking forward to farewelling 2018 after a tough year battling the drought and unpredictable weather.

“You only have to go to Rand, 20 kilometres away, to see the impact,” Mr Lieschke said.

“It’s been pretty well a complete failure for us; at least we got to make hay and got our feed back.

“We’ve been a lot better off than some other people and we’ve had a bit of rainfall to tick things along.

“Hopefully next year we’ll get the break when it should be – if everything goes to plan we can hope to get back to a near-normal season.”

Meanwhile Mr Lieschke will enjoy a jolly Christmas with family, and a day out yabbying with friends on Wednesday.

“I enjoy Boxing Day more – there’s less travelling around and eating,” he said.

Border Mail