Ken Richards from JR Richards behind Forster Tuncurry Christmas tree lights

A businessman with fond childhood memories of Christmases past has spent tens of thousands of dollars to light up a town’s tree after a local council pulled the pin following a disastrous and headline-grabbing festive fail.

A generous Mid-North Coast businessman has spent tens of thousands of dollars to light up a town Christmas tree after a local council pulled the pin following last year’s headline-grabbing festive fail.

The community of Forster-Tuncurry did not hold back with their criticism of last year’s effort by MidCoast Council, with frustrated locals taking to Facebook describing it as “pathetic” and “embarrassing”.

A user called Midcoast Aerial Photography called out the “ugly Mr Squiggle” tree on the Forster side of Wallis Lake and tagged council in the post.

The Forster-Tuncurry fail came a year after Port Macquarie’s community tree grabbed international headlines after being hit by a freak storm.

In a somewhat peevish response, council’s Paul De Szell declared that staff “are not professional tree decorators” and that the organisation would no longer fund the decorations, instead calling on the business community to stump up the money.

Last year's Forster Tuncurry Christmas tree decorated by MidCoast Council copped criticism but this year local company JR Richards has taken on the task.

“Providing Christmas lighting is not a core service of council, or something we have expert skills in, hence the decision to allow the community the opportunity to take ownership of the lighting going forward,” Mr De Szell said at the time.

As the festive season approached this year Ken Richards, owner of JR Richards and Sons, was on the look out for the tree - a tradition he remembers from childhood.

The Port Macquarie Hastings Christmas tree hit international headlines in 2022 after being described as an "epic fail"

“Growing up, I remember seeing Norfolk pines covered in lights during Christmas—a tradition that always filled me with joy,” Mr Richards said.

So when he caught up with the headlines from last year, he didn’t hesitate to approach council and ask permission to decorate one of the large Norfolk pines at John Wright Park in Tuncurry at his own expense.

“I was disappointed by the decision not to continue the Christmas lighting displays and felt strongly about keeping the holiday spirit alive, both for the local community and the many visitors who come to our region over the festive season.

“The lighting of the tree, which cost tens of thousands of dollars, is a gift from me and my family to the community and visitors of Tuncurry-Forster.”

The lights going up at Tuncurry.

People have shared photos and words of thanks to Ken Richards and his family.

Labour was contributed by Stowe Electrical.

The community has come out in force to thank the Richards family for their efforts and share photos of the tree in all its glory.

“That’s bloody awesome - good on you KR,” posted Craig Mason.

“So much better than council’s attempt last year,” Linda Dennett added.

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