On his head the Australian Santa wears a hat called an Akubra, an Aussie icon. He also wears the oily black leather boots and the popular oil skin riding coat. Lastly, his shoulder bag is made of crocodile, a reptile prevalent in Australia. The Australian Santa is participating in Carols by Candlelight which is held every year on Christmas Eve. On this evening tens of thousands of people carrying lit candles gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favorite Christmas songs. The sky glows with the candlelight and the stars of the Southern Cross. Australians surround themselves with the Christmas Bush, a native plant which has little red flowered leaves. So Santa is bringing bushes and yellow-edged, bell-shaped Christmas Bell Flowers to families throughout the country. The Aussie Santa cuddles a Koala bear, a pouched mammal native to Australia. The furry little creatures are best known as Koala Bears but are also called Australian bears. They are treasured by Australians. Also, Santa has kangaroo dolls in his bag. Kangaroos, another popular Australian animal, are hopping, pouched mammals found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea.