Canal residents collect Christmas lights prizes

The winners of the 2023 Port Geographe Canal Christmas Lights Competition have been awarded at a special presentation over the weekend.

The neighbours received their winners cheques from the Aigle Royal Group on Saturday, presented by Port Geographe Land Owners Association President, Geoff Cocks.

Last year, Hamelin Retreat resident Liz Wright and husband Johnno Page came so close to taking out the major prize, they were determined to create an even more dazzling display for 2023.

“We just put more lights up, really, it takes us about two to three days to do the whole display,” Liz told the Mail. “We’ve been decorating for Christmas pretty much since we moved in, over the last five years.”

Liz and Johnno purchased what was originally her parents’ home after the loss of her father, to keep the property within the family. This year the decorating was made a little more difficult, with the addition of the couple’s 10 month old son, Nicholas.

“I’ve been on maternity leave so this prize money could not have come at a better time, it’s fantastic,” she said. “We’re going to use the money to finish off the backyard, it’s the first time in about 20 years and we can finally get it done.”

A record number of entries were received in the 2023 competition, including a record number of first time entries.

Mike Cann received $2,000, voted best new entrant by the Port Geographe Land Owners Association.

A further eight $1,000 participation prizes were picked at random, awarding participants from each canal street.

The homeowners said the competition fostered a great sense of community spirit, with neighbours joining in the fun and making the most of the festive atmosphere.

Christmas lights cruises were supported by sponsors including Newport Geographe, Altair Estate, WIN Network, the Busselton Dunsborough Mail, City of Busselton, Port Geographe Marina and Dale Alcock Homes Southwest.

“A couple of days before Christmas, we sat outside with a boombox speaker and cranked Christmas carols, had a few glasses of red and waved to all the people going past. It’s heaps of fun and we will absolutely be taking part next year.”

Aigle Royal Group’s Mitch Hector said the competition aimed to transform the canals into WA’s premier South West Christmas lights destination, by encouraging residents to create light displays on the canal facades of their home.

“This year saw the largest number of competition entrants with 26 in total, but also the largest number of canal Christmas lights on display with more boats and people viewing the canal lights,” he said.

“The community was invited to come together, celebrate the season, and experience the magic of the Port Geographe canals that transformed into a mesmerising display of lights.”

Mr Hector said plans were already underway for an even bigger and better competition in 2024.