QUEENSLAND
Belrose Country Club Retirement Village’s famous Christmas lights extravaganza is delighting Belrose locals yet again this festive season.
Every year the village embraces the festive season by holding an annual Christmas street party.
The event this year was held on December 4 and included the very anticipated switching on of the Christmas lights.
Belrose Country Club Lifestyle Activities Officer, Caitlin Beyer said it was exciting to welcome people back to the Christmas wonderland this year.
“We navigated our way safely through COVID the past few years as a unified and connected village and now we are relishing in Christmas cheer as an even more tight-knit community,” she said.
“The turning on of the lights signals the beginning of the festive season. It’s always wonderful to see the spectacular display of both community and Christmas spirit.
“Christmas for many symbolises the coming together of friends and family, and the residents of Belrose Country Club love where they live so much, they can’t wait to show if off to the wider community.”
The lights display is led by Belrose Country Club Strata Chairman George Paul and a team of volunteers.
“Our team work tirelessly throughout November designing and installing lights and Christmas decorations among the communal gardens and outside residents’ homes,” Mr Paul said.
“There are also a few very brave ladies who dress up in Christmas attire on the night and sell raffle tickets to raise money for charity.”
Mr Paul started decorating the outside of his unit in 2017 with the help of three neighbours. He also made his own mulled wine and served Christmas cake and mince pies to passers-by to stop and enjoy.
“My idea was to give the village some Christmas atmosphere and give the residents a chance to start the Christmas season on a high note,” he said.
“More than a hundred residents turned up to experience the occasion. Many said they had never been down this end of the village before and many more met fellow residents for the first time.”
Ms Beyer said the following year Mr Paul borrowed some chairs so “the older folk could sit”.
“It was so popular he set his sights the next year for the display to be set up outside the Belrose Country Club Clubhouse and the event just grew from there,” she said.
