Harvey Park gets Christmas makeover

MORE Christmas joy has made its way to the Bellarine town of St Leonards thanks to an ongoing initiative between the town’s men’s shed and its local primary school.

For the third year in a row, St Leonards Men’s Shed and St Leonards Primary School have banded together to decorate Harvey Park with wooden cutouts of trees, Santa and reindeer along its fenceline.

Men’s Shed treasurer Shane McManus said the initiative has continued to grow in size and excitement, with the town fully embracing the festivities and efforts of the students.

“We paint the trees up and take them over to the school where each student gets to decorate them.

“This year we estimate there are 20 trees, maybe half a dozen reindeer and a few Santa Claus cutouts.

“It’s special for the community as well because the kids walk the cutouts through the main shops and sing carols, which is great fun for the business owners there at the time before they hung up on the fence.”

The cutouts coincide with the Christmas yarn bombings that are put up each year by the St Leonards Progress Association.

Both decorative initiatives coupled with the lights put up by the City of Greater Geelong in town brings St Leonards to life at night.

“We had a lovely afternoon singing, performing and delivering our Christmas decorations to the Men’s shed,” the school stated.

“Thanks to all the families who came to support and be part of the family picnic. Thank you also to the Men’s shed for their organisation.”

Harvey Park is located at the end of Murradoc Road at the intersection on The Esplanade.