GIPPSLAND WEEKEND: It’s our pleasure this week to catch up with one of the masterminds behind the best Christmas lights in the Wellington Shire, Dean Rowley of 356 Three Chain Road, Maffra fame. It’s another magnificent display again this year, Dean. How many years have you been doing this?
DEAN ROWLEY: This is our 11th year.
GW: What’s your inspiration?
DR: It started off as a bit of fun, people kept wanting to give us gifts and money. So we decided to take a charity on board, Beyond Blue, and we do it in loving memory of my wife Cindy’s brother, Ronny. Helps us remember him at Christmas.
GW: Beyond Blue has benefitted significantly?
DR: Yes, we have donated over $120,000 in 10 years so far, which is pretty cool, including a couple of lean COVID years.
GW: How long does it take to set it all up?
DR: We start in mid October, so around six weeks, targeting a December 1 kick off. In that time, there are five or six really big days, some where people have come and helped us, and another where we had the use of a donated tele-handler for the higher stuff.
GW: Do you have a plan before you start?
DR: We run with themed areas, and then we usually have to do some replacing of lights each year because of breakage, which creates new or improved areas. The Grinch is a popular addition this year.
GW: How many lights are there?
DR: Hundreds of thousands of little lights, and we use two 60 litre tubs full of power boards and another four full of leads.
GW: Are they expensive to run?
DR: Not really, all are LED and we operate on timers (8-11pm).
GW: Where do you source the lights from?
DR: Some online purchases, we make a trip to Melbourne yearly to restock at some stores down that way and there is a great shop in Brisbane that we have dealt with for many years that freight stuff down. He’s a former displayer that has turned the full circle.
GW: You obviously enjoy it?
DR: Certainly, I love the joy it brings kids and families, love the banter when youngsters jump out of the car and start pointing stuff out. We do it for a good cause and mental health awareness is important.
GW: The Bauble tree is a significant attraction?
DR: Yes, it’s a Christmas tree where people write on a Bauble in loving memory of someone lost to suicide and place on the tree. Last year’s tree contained 576 baubles.
GW: Do you check out the opposition?
DR: I do, even though any light is a good light and in the Christmas spirit. I like to get out and critique everyone. Good for ideas.
GW: How many visit each year?
DR: Last year there were 1592 cars over the 26 nights (of which 11 were washed out).
GW: Have you been busy this year?
DR: Last week got busier as the week progressed. We will get busier as school finishes. Next Wednesday’s Maffra Christmas Festival usually gets people out and about 400 cars. The busiest night is Christmas Eve, we will see 300-400 cars.
GW: Does Santa come for a look?
DR: We do get him here from time to time in many different shapes and sizes. He’s always good for feedback as he check out lights all around the world.
GW: When does it come down?
DR: We run up to Christmas Day, then usually go away for a few days. Cindy and the kids take it down when I go back to work. They can get it done in two days.
GW: Merry Christmas Dean, keep up the good work.
