By Michael Doran
A drive along the Warburton Highway is notable for the absence of Christmas decorations and without the tireless efforts of three locals Healesville’s streets could well look the same.
In a joint Rotary and Lions Club project, the old decorations have been rescued from a shed, restored and now are resplendent sitting atop the freshly painted Collins Street light poles.
In last weeks heatwave, Don Fitzgerald and Robert and Cheryl Chippindall were out with their beloved decorations, supervising the council employed installers and making sure everything looked at its best.
As there are more poles than decorations, this even extended to finding the appropriately coloured ribbons now adorning those poles that do not have decorations.
Ms Chippindall said “They look good and we have had some of the shopkeepers come out to talk about them already,” she said. ‘They are all saying how good they look.”
“Some people have been sceptical about this project getting finished and so it is great to see them up.
“We still have to work out where we are going to store them and keep them looking as good as they do now. The council are taking them down in the new year and then it is up to us to take it from there.
“Now they are up we are hoping that more people will come forward to Rotary and donate to the on-going costs of maintaining them.”She said that she wanted her grandchildren to be able to enjoy the thrill of seeing the decorations up and Healesville celebrating a colorful Christmas.
The fact that this has come to fruition is as a result of the committment of these volunteers to take responsibilty to make it happen. Without the push from the Rotary and Lions Clubs, Healesville would have no street decorations, as residents in other Yarra Valley towns are now lamenting.
Anyone who would like to donate to the future of these decorations can contact Don Fitzgerald on 0428 537846 or through Healesville Rotary.
