Lighting Up The Burdekin

Jeff and Leon’s Christmas Tradition

By Chelsea Ravizza

Christmas cheer has blossomed in the Burdekin once again, and the beloved Christmas Lights Guys have continued to wow and delight the region, keeping one of the community’s most treasured traditions alive for almost two decades.

Jeff Lunn and Leon McCormack first began decorating their Home Hill home in 2007, but it wasn’t until they moved across the bridge and unveiled their display in Ayr that things truly took off.

“It started to pick up in about 2010 after we moved, and it has just gotten bigger, and bigger, and bigger every year as we add extra display pieces to keep things fresh, different and exciting,” Jeff explained.

Childhood memories are what initially inspired the pair to ignite what has become such a beautiful local tradition, however, it’s the joy Jeff and Leon see across the faces of everyone who stops by that keeps the pair excited.

“Seeing the children, families and the community enjoying themselves and having a good time continues to excite us and that’s all it’s really about and we love having people come around to see the lights,” enthused Jeff.

“Growing up in Newcastle, we would do Christmas light drives as a family with mum and dad, and our inspiration to put on these displays has just drawn on from that and from the enjoyment we see from the kids when they come around, and what the whole community gets out of what we do.”

What once began as a humble light display, has evolved into a community-oriented festive extravaganza, complete with a radio channel featuring perfectly synchronised tunes to accompany the magic of the dancing lights. Annually, hundreds of visitors flock to the corner of Edwards and Darwin Streets in Ayr to experience the magical display, while for six months of the year Jeff and Leon work behind the scenes, preparing to outdo the previous year’s spectacle.

“Our enjoyment also comes from keeping busy,” added Jeff.

“The displays certainly keep us on our toes, and that’s how we like it, we love to keep busy.”

In July, the cogs start turning as Jeff and Leon sit down to plan what will stay, what will go, and what will make its debut this festive season, placing orders left, right and centre to ensure everything will arrive in time for the end of year extravaganza.

Sunlight streams into Jeff and Leon’s four bay car garage in mid to late August, as the pair roll up the doors and their sleeves to test each and every bulb across thousands of lights in preparation for large-scale display.

As late September ticks around, the pair are in full spooky season mode, putting together a wonderfully witching Halloween display, complete with a classic trick or treat dress up party to round out the month of October.

With that holiday behind them, Jeff and Leon pack away the frights, and unpack the festive delights, working as hard as a North Pole elf on Christmas Eve to have the house looking ship shape from the 1st of November.

On the 23rd of December and of course, Christmas Eve, Santa himself will make an appearance, perched up in his bright red sleigh, ready for family photos from about 7pm onwards. The grill will be up and running, serving up a delicious sausage sizzle, and complimentary popcorn, fairy floss and snow cones will also be on offer to add to the festivities.

Jeff and Leon cannot wait to delight the community for the 18th year with their wonderful display, and hope to see plenty of families pop on over to the corner of Edwards and Darwin Streets in Ayr to catch a glimpse of the magic this festive season.

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Leon McCormack and Jeff Lunn, the much-loved ‘Christmas Lights Guys’, have lit up the region with festive cheer for the 18th year! Photo credit: Mark T. Rasmussen.