Thanks for the feedback everyone. Maybe the cover should be called "Christmas in March"
With regard to the timing of when people receive the magazine, there's almost nothing we can do about it... other than hold back the release of the magazine to the newsagents, which wouldn't really help anyone.
As time has gone on, the Australian Print Post system (which is used to distribute large mailings) has become more inconsistent, while the newsagent distribution has become more and more efficient.
Funnily enough, the international subscribers often get their copies earlier than some Aussies as well, because the international mailing system is also very efficienct now.