By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE’S Christmas window competition is expected to grow this year, after last year’s event lit up the town’s main street into the evening.
The Deck the Heales-ville Christmas Decorations Competition was run by the Lions Club of Healesville, the Rotary Club of Healesville, Yarra Ranges Council and Healesville Chamber of Commerce through November and December.
The brief was simple – decorate their business at street level with Christmas decorations that are illuminated into the night, with judges providing cash prizes for the best-dressed shopfronts.
On Friday 18 December, Clarence Flowers and Fancy Goods was named as the winner of the competition, winning $1500.
The Judith Eardley Save the Wildlife Centre came second, while Alchemy came in at third place, Chez Monde came fourth and Crumbz Craft placed fifth.
Clarence manager Annabelle Elam said the design of the window included hanging bottles with lights, a Santa sack, presents and Christmas trees – as well as greenery galore.
“Putting the bottles in the window, was because of the area we’re in and just a different take on the Yarra Valley, and something traditional,” she said.
“We still get people coming in to take photographs.”
Rotary president Lesley Plumpton said that people in town had been seen walking the streets after dark, to see all of the illuminated shopfronts.
“That’s really what we wanted to try and create,” she said.
“It livened up the streets – I’m really happy we did this.”
She said some businesses had already started working on new designs for December.
Lions president Lesley Grigg said discussions would be taking place about holding the event again at the end of 2016.
“I think it’s only going to get bigger,” she said.
