Gympie’s 2023 Christmas light competition gets full support

When the Gympie Christmas Light Competition for 2023 got called off, Trish Doel never thought the response would be so dramatic, with Gympie’s community throwing support behind her left, right, and centre to make it happen.

Ray and Trish Doel setting up their Fairview Rd Christmas lights. Photo Craig Warhurst / The Gympie Times

Lighting up the way to Christmas with colourful displays featuring Santa, nativity scenes, reindeers and other illuminations have been a staple in Gympie for many years, with houses competing for the best display in the city.

When Gympie Today pulled out of sponsoring the Gympie Christmas Lights competition this year, Trish Doel thought that was the end of the road, and last Monday posted the sad news on social media.

But the Gympie community refused to let her turn off the lights, and within three days she had $4000 in sponsorship cash and prizes from business all over the region.

Christmas lights displays in Gympie

Karen Grills has been decorating her house for Christmas in Gympie for 14 years. 20 Leonard St December 2020

“We are going to light up Gympie,” she said.

Ms Doel manages Gympie Christmas Lights, an active Facebook group that shares tips and tricks for displays, and shares some of the best light displays throughout the region, helping continue the long tradition.

The past week she has been scrambling to put together entry forms and get the word out, while managing sponsorship requests.

Even the Mary Valley Rattler has come on board to try and get the houses backing on to the railway corridor involved, she said.

Ms Doel said the joy and cheer from setting up lights at her own home, and appreciating other light displays was something she loved about Christmas.

“Gympie’s community spirit has just shone through,” she said.

Christmas lights in Gympie 2016 entrant Issac Telford. 91 Furness Road, Southside, December 2016.

The competition’s seven categories include:

Best Dressed House – 1st, 2nd & 3rd

First Time Entrants -1st, 2nd & 3rd

People’s Choice – voted and random draw winner

People’s Choice Winner – as voted

Best Neighbourhood

Best Small Business

Rattler Railway Corridor

“Huge thank you to all this year’s sponsors, without the amazing donations from these businesses this would not be possible,” she wrote in a post on Sunday, November 12.

Shout out to Gibbs Civil, Mary Valley Rattler, Domino’s Pizza, Grove’s Electrical, Red Rooster, The Slime Bakery, Brian Lambert and Pop & Bang Balloons for getting behind the Christmas competition.

Follow Gympie Christmas Lights for updates.

Originally published as Gympie’s 2023 Christmas light competition gets full support