Because the winter is not as extreme anywhere in Australia as in many colder countries in Europe and North America, Australian homes have not traditionally been centrally heated in winter. Although some form of whole-house heating is becoming more common in the two most southerly (ie coldest) States, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as in some rural inland and mountainous areas, the protection from the winter elements is not as necessary, and not as extensive as in colder-climate countries such as Canada or Scandinavia. For this reason, many overseas visitors or migrants find that Australian winters are less congenial than in their colder home countries.
Traditionally, July and August, Australia's wintry months, see an avalanche of Church Retreats, Denominational Conferences and Christian ministry congresses. These are the months that are distastefully cold. Staying indoors in not part of Australia's national psyche, (and anyway, in a non-heated home, when a typical winter's day in Sydney or Brisbane is 18-20 degrees Celsius, it is warmer outside), so winter is a good time for annual communal activities in a warm, comfortable conference centre.
With September, and the Spring, the national sporting calendar changes abruptly. Firstly, winter ends with the national football finals series (Australian Rules – AFL and Rugby League – NRL). Secondly, the Summer sports start with the excitement of the thought of warm weather (which, soon enough, brings Christmas and summer holidays all at once). The national passion over summer is the Cricket season, but there are passionate followers of all sorts of sporting activities such as the Soccer A League, the Australian Field Hockey League, the National Basketball League, swimming, tennis and surfing activities.
September, it seems to M V Tronson, is the month of the change of a nation's spirit, and this is reflected in the economy, as at this time every year, home prices near beach-side holiday resorts increase. Statistics also show that it is a good month for car sales, as many families prepare for their annual summer holidays, which often involves a road trip, long distance travel to visit relatives or a favourite camping spot.
Australians see September as something akin to an elderly pet dog, who wakes in morning, slowly stretches, has one or two large wide yawns, before vigorously wagging its tail as its 'humans' inside the house begin to make breakfast noises.
Well-Being Australia over many years has witnessed this same affect in its various ministries throughout the Australian community.
The two Well-Being Australia respite facilities in the spring and summer months are considerably more utilised, the Country Town Tours with athletes and coaches in mentoring roles are far more likely to be sought after, the Around the Tables mentoring ministry is more of a warmer-month activity, and the Arts ministry becomes tuned to the wider world of Art, which has long established that Spring and Summer are generally the exhibition seasons.
"Australians seems to exhibit a different spirit in the Spring and the Summer months and this it seems is likewise reflected in the Australian Christian scene," M V Tronson noted.
Churches will run their crusades in the Spring and Summer, when barbecues and outdoor fellowship activities can be enjoyed. The boating outings and fishing become commonplace. These outdoor community activities appear to not only open the hearts of people, but also to endorse a sense of well-being in church communities. And always, as the days get longer, the spirit of Christmas shines and then New Year and the summer holidays are anticipated.
Mark Tronson wonders whether there has been any professional research by any theologian, comparing Australians' 'responses to the Gospel message' during the cold wintry months with that of Spring and Summer. Would this confirm what is common knowledge in Australian evangelical circles?