Noble Park North residents (from left) Gail, Michelle and Brent Herbert are raising funds for a children’s hostel with their spectacular Christmas light display.By Shaun Inguanzo
A NOBLE Park North woman has unknowingly replicated the act of generosity performed by her mother 34 years ago.
Gail and Brent Herbert have spent almost $4000 decorating their Noble Park North home with up to 90 sets of Christmas lights to create an amazing display.
So elaborate is the set-up, they had to have their home rewired by a qualified electrician so it didn’t blow the fuse box.
It is the third year the couple has decorated their home, but this year, Gail said, they invested an extra $1500 to make it the brightest and most colourful yet.
The light display was so spectacular the family decided to use it to raise funds for charity.
Gail said she wrote to a wide number of charities and only received a reply from Gordon Care for Children, which houses 60 children from abusive and neglectful households.
The charity has given the family several collection tins they will use to gather coins for the hostel’s Christmas funds.
But Gail said she was surprised to learn her mother also decorated her Huntingdale home with Christmas lighting in the 1970s and donated the money to the same charity.
“It used to be the Gordon Boys and Girls Home,” she said.
“I looked up our paperwork and found out my mother had been made a life member of the home.”
Gail, Brent, and daughter Michelle sit in the front driveway each evening, enveloped by the outstanding light display.
When motorists slow down or stop to admire the display, one family member rushes with a tin to collect loose change or any donations the spectators wish to make.
The centrepiece of the Herberts’ light show is a fibre optic Christmas tree donated by Dandenong business Christmas 4 You.
From 17 to 24 December, Brent will don a Santa suit to make the experience even more jolly.
To enjoy the light display, head to Smale Court, Noble Park North.
And don’t forget your loose change.
