Thomas Healy Drive has embraced the festive spirit with Christmas displays and a short Christmas film projected on a resident’s window.
The Bundaberg East neighbourhood has been spreading Christmas joy for more than a decade.
Leanne Tasker was overjoyed as she walked Thomas Healy Drive for the first time with her grandson Jasper.
They enjoyed watching the short Christmas film together and checking out the variety of Christmas displays.
“I get all emotional when I think of the effort residents have gone to, they do such a great job,” Leanne said.
“It’s absolutely beautiful and they go to so much trouble and this is the second time I have been to visit this year.
“I have been with my own kids for at least 10 years or more and now I am here with my grandson from Gladstone and it will be his first Christmas.
“We all have our favourites and I love the large wooden tree with the bright lights and this house for the animation.”
Glen Mackay said he didn’t think it was possible to live in the Bundaberg Region and not stop by Thomas Healy Drive at least once at Christmas time to check out the lights.
Thomas Healy Drive resident Sue Lovejoy said the tradition started more than a decade ago as she remembered the street being dressed in festivities after first moving in during 2011.
Sue said setting up the street took some of residents days to compete and it was worth the effort after seeing not only the children faces light up, but also the smiles of the adults.
The mother-of-three said traditionally the Christmas lights were first switched on for the year on 1 December and continued nightly through to Boxing Day.
“We first see a lot of people on the street after the Pageant of Lights and then again on Christmas Eve,” Sue said.
Sue’s kids Isaac and Issy both agreed saying the biggest attraction on the street was the blue wall on one of the neighbouring properties and said it was a popular spot to stop and take a selfie.
“It’s a lot of fun to take part in decorating the house with Christmas lights,” said Issy.
“We have just moved back to the street and it’s a good place to be at for Christmas.”
Thank you to the Christmas street residents
Laughter echoed around Thomas Healy Drive and surrounding streets as families took in the Christmas atmosphere with a leisurely stroll.
Sisters Amity and Bronte Hannay along with their friends Zaria and Vienna Berwick were eager to check out everything Bundaberg’s Christmas street had to offer.
“We come every year and there are so many lights,” Vienna said.
The Year 2 Bundaberg Christian College student said her favourite display was the giant Christmas tree made from wood and lights.
Bronte agreed with her friend, while Zaria said she liked the blow-up Santa best, but for Amity the best part of the evening was walking the street with her family and friends.
The girls’ mothers Heidi Hannay and Chantal Berwick thanked the East Bundaberg community for putting on a fabulous Christmas celebration and they hoped it would return.
Other Christmas stories
- Buss Park transforms into Little Christmas Fun Day
- Church of Christ offers free Christmas Day lunch
- Blanket Buddies crocheted tokens at Bethlehem Live
- Shop locally to deliver a Christmas miracle