Lilydale Christmas decorations: fundraising ramps up with Lillydale Lake barbecue

THE Yarra Valley’s Christmas elf is ramping up efforts to decorate Lilydale’s main street for the silly season, including a fundraising barbecue.

Amanda Yong, with her children Norah and Oliver, is ramping up her efforts to get Christmas decorations in Lilydale’s Main St. Picture: Steve Tanner

THE Yarra Valley’s Christmas elf is ramping up efforts to help decorate Lilydale’s main street for the silly season, including a fundraising sausage sizzle this weekend.

Wandin’s Amanda Yong is on a mission to bring the cheer back to the gateway to the Yarra Valley, previously telling the Leader the town looked “so depressing” at Christmas compared to other municipalities.

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In the past, the Lilydale Chamber of Commerce had chipped in to decorate for Christmas, but the group closed more than a year ago due to a lack of interest.

Mrs Yong originally posted on the Yarra Valley Noticeboard Facebook page to ask if anyone missed having decorations in Lilydale.

Now the mother-of-two has put the call out for help to pay for the project, which could cost more than $400.

Mrs Yong said she had three people volunteer to help but would need about 10 people to help raise money and more to put the decorations up.

She said fundraising plans for the project included tin-rattling and holding sausage sizzles at Lillydale Lake.

Mrs Yong said she also contacted nearby Knox, Maroondah and Whittlesea councils to ask if they could spare any decorations.

“I want to put fairy lights in the trees along Main St ... buying in bulk online roughly costs $425,” she said.

Mrs Yong has started an online campaign to raise money, and is looking for volunteers to help with a sausage sizzle at Lillydale Lake on October 21 and 22.

Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah, Whittlesea have been contacted for comment.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or help should contact [e-mail]