Awards presented for spreading festive joy
Published on 18 January 2025
Mildura resident Dorothy Rendell and Red Cliffs organisation Diggerland Community Services Inc. have been celebrated for spreading Christmas joy, taking home prizes in Mildura Rural City Council’s 2024 Christmas Lights Competition.
Both winners received a generous $500 City Heart Gift Card to spend at local businesses.
Mildura Rural City Council partnered with Sunraysia Daily to bring the initiative to life. Residents were invited to register their home or business online on Council’s Christmas Lights Map, and the entries featured in the Sunraysia Daily weekly leading up to Christmas.
The competition provided a roadmap of creative Christmas displays for the community to explore and an opportunity for the public to vote for their favourite display.
Dorothy Rendell’s display on San Mateo Avenue received the most public votes via Council’s website, earning the title of Best Decorated House, while Diggerland Community Services Inc. was awarded Best Decorated Businesses, carefully selected by Mildura Mayor Helen Healy.
Ms Rendell said she created her display to bring joy to children in the community.
“It takes me over a month to set everything up as I do it on my own,” Ms Rendell said.
“At 76 years of age, it’s a big job but I’m happy to do it for the kids.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got the call from Mildura Rural City Council to say I had won.”
Diggerland Community Services Inc. Home Care Coordinator Bek Senior said their team was inspired to enter after seeing the competition advertised online and in the paper.
“It was the festive spirit that motivated us to create a display for the children in our community to enjoy,” Ms Senior said.
“Our window display, with its traditional theme, took around three days to set up. It was absolutely worthwhile to see the joy it brought.”
Mildura Mayor Cr Helen Healy said selecting the Best Decorated Business was no easy task this year with many outstanding entries received.
“We had a great response with so many homes and businesses beautifully decorated,” Cr Healy said.
“It’s heartwarming to see our community members bringing the festive spirit to life.”
The competition saw more than 80 homes and businesses participate and the online map was viewed over 80,000 times by the public.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to decorate their homes or businesses, and a special thanks to the Sunraysia Daily for their continued support of this fun initiative,” the Mayor said.
Sunraysia Daily General Manager Glenn Robinson highlighted the success of the partnership with Mildura Rural City Council.
“Seeing our community transform their streets and properties each year is a real highlight leading up to Christmas,” Mr Robinson said.
“Thank you to everyone who entered their address or voted in the competition.”
Photo: Sunraysia Daily
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