Local schools to add Christmas flair to CBD

LOCAL students will help bring the City of Greater Geelong’s Christmas celebrations to life by decorating Christmas trees.

More than 30 Christmas trees designed by local schools brought Geelong’s CBD to life in 2021, and this year students will do the same.

Artist Kathleen Hyland has been assisting local school students design trees and said she believes the secret to decorating a standout Christmas tree is making use of everyday objects one might recycle or throw away.

This year, Ms Hyland helped students from both Newcomb Primary School and Ashby Primary School in Geelong West to decorate their school Christmas trees.

“It’s a great way for kids to be creative with recycled materials and run wild with the Christmas colour palette,” she said.

“We decorate the tree with whatever we can find. We will use bottles, puzzle pieces from jigsaws and old CDs are always shiny and festive.

“They enjoy Christmas, and they love having their family and friends come into Geelong to see their tree.”

Thirty trees will be on display on Monday, November 14, in Johnstone Park’s forecourt and along Little Malop Street.

Geelong Mayor Peter Murrihy said the yearly program has been popular, with schools outside the region asking to participate.

“It’s fantastic that our local students get so involved during this exciting time of the year and they do an outstanding job decorating their trees,” Cr Murrihy said.

“Each tree has its own character and is a demonstration of the creativity and artistic talent of the young people in our region.”

Christmas in Geelong proceedings officially kick off from November 12, when the City’s popular floating tree is lit in Corio Bay.