Dreaming of a light Christmas

Santa’s in his grotto at Strathfield

Plaza. The carols and fireworks are

ready to go off in the Park. Even the

tree, sporting its new livery of LED

lights and a huge swathe of tinsel decorations,

stands at attention on the Town Square.

You might be forgiven for thinking all is

ready for Strathfield to have itself a Merry

Little Christmas. But not quite.

While many have made a commendable

effort, there is still something missing from

many homes and businesses. Has, perhaps,

a Grinch crept in? Where are the fairy lights?

The mayor, Cr Paul Barron, had been

dreaming of a ‘light’ Christmas. Now, he

is worried there may be a little too much

Silent Night and not enough Deck the Halls.

And so, in his Mayoral Minute at the

final meeting of the year, Barron suggested

launching a competition for the best light

show in the municipality next year to

encourage a little more Jingle Bell Rock.

“In order to recognise the efforts of

those residents in our community who

share the spirit of Christmas by displaying

lights on their property, I propose that

council hold the 2012 Strathfield Council

Street Light Competition,” he declared.

The top prize is $1,000.  Businesses are

invited to take part as well.

There is no doubt that lighting displays

are part of Strathfield’s Christmas

tradition. So if the mayor can persuade the

residents to O Come All Ye Faithful and

string up lights, it will certainly show

Strathfield it’s Beginning to Look A Lot

Like Christmas. For many, such displays

are what Christmas is all about.

As a child in Homebush during the

1940s, community leader Marlene Doran

was taken to see window displays at David

Jones and marvel at the Christmas tree in

Martin Place. “Oh, yes. Catching the train

into Sydney to see the window displays,”

she recalls. “That was the ultimate treat.”

As this is Barron’s First Noel as Mayor,

let’s hope his lights initiative is a lasting

Christmas legacy, ensuring locals feel

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

The Scene wishes all its readers a very

happy and safe holiday.

About the Author

Peter Lynch

Editor, Strathfield Scene