Wallace family reveals story behind famous Wildey St, Ipswich Christmas tree lights

Each year, for 55 years, the Wallace family have selflessly served their local community by lighting up Ipswich’s most famous tree for Christmas. Read about how and why they have preserved the special tradition through generations.

Decades ago, driven by a desire to spread Christmas cheer, a couple from Raceview decided to decorate a fig tree on their property for their neighbours to enjoy over the holiday season.

More than 55 years and three generations later, the tradition remains a vibrant and fundamental part of Ipswich’s identity.

The ritual began in 1964, when Des and Valma Wallace purchased a property at Wildey St.

They decided they would enter the local Christmas scene by dressing a fig tree on their land, which was visible from the street, in colourful lights.

Valma and Des Wallace began the iconic Christmas tradition in 1966, two years after moving to Wildey St, Raceview. Picture: Supplied

Des set about manually hanging bulbs from branches with his good friend Bob Lewis, who was an electrician. The tree was illuminated for the first time in the December of 1966.

“Dad was a bit of a visionary in his own right,” Des and Valma’s son, Jeff, said.

“He just thought it would be a good idea and people would get a kick out of it.”

He was right.

More than half a century after Des and Valma Wallace began decorating their tree, Ipswich residents continue to gather beneath it at Christmas. Picture: Supplied

Members of the Ipswich community were immediately drawn to the tree, and Des and Valma decided to switch on the lights every year.

Eventually, the tree grew so big the Wallace family had to use a cherry picker to check and adjust the lights, and the display was so widely adored a protection order was put in place.

After 15 years of decorating, Rev. Roy Edwards of the Raceview Congregational Church asked Des if he would allow Christmas carols ‘under the big tree’.

Des agreed and the community has gathered beneath the lights each year since.

Each year, the Wallace family spends an entire day checking the lights on the fig tree are functioning as they should before switching them on for the festive season. Picture: Jessica Baker

In 2001 and 2017, aged 79 and 93 respectively, Des and Valma sadly passed.

Their son Jeff said it was their wish that their family continue to light the tree for as long as possible.

This year is the 55th the Wallace family have lit the brilliant tree for Christmas.

Jeff said he and his brother Wayne will one day pass the unique responsibility down to their children but, for the foreseeable future, they themselves – along with helpers Barry and Steve Reberger and Les Otto – will ensure the 450 low-voltage light bulbs on the tree continue to shine bright for the Ipswich community.

To see the tree, visit Wildey St between 7pm and 10pm any night after December 1 and before New Year’s Eve.