St Leonards wrapped for Christmas

ST LEONARDS’ annual yarn-bombing display has returned, bringing handmade Christmas decorations to trees across the town.

Organised by the St Leonards Progress Association, the display features 24 Christmas-themed yarn creations installed throughout the Murradoc Road shopping precinct.

Now in its sixth consecutive year, the project is supported by local community members and groups who volunteer their time to design and create individual pieces for the street. Progress association member Marie Reed said the display was about adding colour and warmth to the town in the lead-up to Christmas.

“It’s been so popular with the locals and the tourists. We have 24 trees that we decorate in the shopping precinct of Murradoc Road, St Leonards. Everyone is unique – we try and vary them every year.

“We have a lot of visitors coming down to St Leonards along the foreshore and we get visitors from all over the Bellarine coming to see them. They then buy a coffee, or they buy some fish and chips, so it creates a bit of interest in the town, especially for our locals.”

One of the standout additions this year comes from the Bellarine Women’s Workshop, which drew inspiration from the hand tools used by its members.

The group created an “Elfie” yarn-bombing, complete with its own knitted saw.

Planning for the display begins in September, with a map released so participants can nominate the tree they wish to decorate.

“People put a lot of work into these and they think about them all year and create them in their minds and then on paper and work it out,” Ms Reed said.

“They book them up from year to year and they love the same tree.”

All of the displays are made using wool supplied by the individual creators.