THE Journal and the City of Greater Dandenong want to light up the city this Christmas.
We’re encouraging residents to string up lights, bring out their inflatable Santas and decorate their lawn with fake snow and festive greetings then take a picture and upload it to the Journal’s Facebook site.
As councillor Roz Blades said, it’s all about spreading the joy and making strangers smile.
“For a number of years I’ve been driving around Greater Dandenong in the evening in early December and seeing some beautifully decorated houses, beautiful lights, reindeers, Father Christmases.
“People go to a huge amount of trouble. It must take them all year to get organised.”
Despite being Jewish, Cr Blades loves how the simple act of stringing up some Christmas decorations can bring communities together.
“In terms of community and a multi-cultural community like ours, those are the things that make people happy.
“I have a smile to myself when I drive past. Decorating your home is a happy, collegiate thing to do.
“It’s nice to acknowledge the spirit of Christmas, the friendship and family sharing time together.
“People who decorate their homes are doing some community work and they don’t even know. They are making people happy.
“Even through I’m not Christian, it’s not about religion, it’s about what people to do make other people happy.”
Cr Blades erected her fibre optic Christmas tree in November.
“She is busy attending community Christmas celebrations and collecting tinned goods and pantry staples for the Dandenong Benevolent Society.
“It’s easy to spend an extra dollar or two on tinned goods and staples throughout the year.
“You can either give it to a charity or just give to someone you know.
“Everyone can make a contribution without even knowing it.”
The council has done its bit to light up the city with a spectacular display of decorations in the new civic square, including a nine-metre high Santa atop one of his reindeer.
Santa will light up the square throughout December thanks to hundreds of warm LED lights and a coat of crystal and sequin drops.
The Journal is encouraging readers to upload a photo of their house, Christmas tree or car decorated for the festive season at www.facebook.com/DandenongJournal.
