Volunteers keep annual Christmas celebration lit up

THE lights on the Point Lonsdale Christmas Tree will be switched on this weekend after two dedicated Rotary Club members spent about 70 hours repairing them.

Rotary, Lions and community members from Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff recently worked together to once again haul the lights up the 40-metre Norfolk Pine growing on the corner of Grimes and Point Lonsdale roads.

But the lights almost didn’t go up this year, with Rotary Club members Wayne Pecar and Alan Joyce spending hours and hours repairing extensive damage caused to the lights and leads by curious corellas in February.

The Point Lonsdale Christmas Tree has been welcoming the festive season for more than 50 years.

Generations have watched the lighting of the tree on the first weekend in December and the brightly lit festive icon is visible for several miles out to sea.

The Queenscliff Rotary Club and the Point Lonsdale Primary school host the event, which local Liam Petrie-Allbutt will emcee this year.

Mr Petrie-Allbutt said as a past pupil of Point Lonsdale Primary School some 16 years ago, he was more than happy to continue to be involved with the school and the Point Lonsdale community where he could.

“Growing up in Point Lonsdale, I have enjoyed attending this lovely community carols event,” Mr Petrie-Allbutt said.

“In 2015, I consulted to the Christmas Tree Committee as an architectural lighting design professional, to assist with the design, supply and coordination of converting the existing 240V decorations into 24V light emitting diode (LED), which have now decorated the tree for two seasons.

“In 2016, I was invited to be the Master of Ceremonies for the first LED event.

“It was such fun organising Santa’s letters for the children of Point Lonsdale and ensuring Santa did not overheat onstage with his dancing.

“It has been really nice working with my sister Hannah Petrie-Allbutt as the primary school music director on this great evening, that’s when I was invited to continue as emcee for 2017 – I did not hesitate.”

The Lighting of the Tree and the Community Celebration of Christmas will take place at the Point Lonsdale Primary School Hall on Saturday from 6.45pm. BYO rug and mosquito repellent.

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