Last year for Christmas lights at 44 Camellia St Greystanes
If you’ve never seen the Colemans’ enchanting Christmas display at Greystanes, this is the last year to witness the Camellia St spectacle as Patricia and George hang up the fairy lights after 28 years.
If you’ve never seen the Colemans’ enchanting Christmas display at Greystanes, this is the last year to witness the Camellia St spectacle.
On Saturday, Patricia and George Coleman will switch on the lights for the last time.
Mrs Coleman, 74, said the hard yakka of assembling the display, which usually began in August, was catching up with her and her 76-year-old husband, who had emphysema.
“I don’t want to put it all on the roof again,’’ Mrs Coleman said.
“I really love it when it’s Christmas time. It’s such a great atmosphere, I’m going to miss it.”
Since 1990, the couple’s labour of love has lit up the neighbourhood. It took off when Mrs Coleman worked at Myer’s stationery department and amassed discounted decorations and props for the lawn.
The early years caused great embarrassment for their three teenage daughters, who now love taking their children to lap up the fun with the community.
“All the neighbours look forward to it. One bloke said, ‘Do you know what this means to my kids?’ ” Mrs Coleman said.
The display is a fundraiser The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Mrs Coleman recalled the suburb in its heyday, when Cumberland Rd and Darling St had some of Sydney’s biggest festive lights drawcards.
Mr Whippy vans still line the streets and families flock to the suburb but many residents who adorned their homes with dazzling displays are getting old.
“Now it’s getting less and less every year,’’ Mrs Coleman said.
“It’s been good fun — we’ve had great times.”
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