Apollo Bay gets into the Christmas spirit

APOLLO Bay will be getting into the Christmas spirit with the placement of the WildWood Christmas tree on the town’s foreshore on Monday

In response to community feedback that there was a lack of Christmas decorations in Apollo Bay, the Colac Otway Shire worked in partnership with the WinterWild festival organisers and Otway Coastal Committee on a creative way to bring some Christmas sparkle to the coastal town this festive season.

As the WildWood tree had been well received by the community in its initial use at the WinterWild festival, a decision was made to re-purpose the sculpture in the spirit of Christmas.

Local sculptor and WildWood creator Finglesin was commissioned to create decorations to adorn the tree, which is located on the foreshore in the grassed area between the Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre and Surf Life Saving Club.

The tree is also be decorated with solar lights, making it a feature for visitors and locals to enjoy day and night.

Shire mayor Joe McCracken said the council was delighted to help deliver the Christmas spirit to Apollo Bay and the shire.

“This is such a fun time of year.

“We encourage people to enjoy the festivities of the season with this lovely tree, which is already special to the Apollo Bay community.

“This will be fantastic not just for locals, but for all visitors to Apollo Bay.

“Congratulations to the community for really getting behind and supporting the festivities.”

WinterWild festival organiser Libby Riches said the sculpture was a perfect fit as the town’s Christmas tree.

“We’re delighted by the public reaction to the tree and very pleased to see it reborn as the town’s official Christmas tree.

“WildWood creates a place for people to gather, tell stories about themselves and Apollo Bay – which is wonderful at any time of the year, but evokes what the spirit of Christmas is really about.”