Written by Kerrie Alexander
For over 25 years Geoff Arnell has come to blows with cable ties and endless lengths of tangled lights of various shapes and colours to create one of the most iconic Christmas displays in Hervey Bay and in his former hometown of Gympie.
However, he wouldn’t have it any other way!
Let me introduce you to the mastermind behind the home that has lit up 83 Murphy Street, on and off, for the past 17 years.
Crowds of at least 10,000 people from December 1 to Boxing Day have relished in the beauty of the lights and displays down the driveway, on the lawn, and in the home’s garage where the famous nativity scene is on show.
A different theme is set each year with a White Christmas stealing the show in 2022.
A massive snowman, reindeer, a dancing bear, Santa’s sleigh, stars, globes, Christmas trees and thousands of fairy lights shined bright.
Santa handed out over 4500 lolly pops to a very appreciative crowd of children and adults alike who all become part of community spirit at its finest.
So, what could make someone crazy enough to spend three months of the year on weekends and at night, building and painting his own props, hanging and connecting lights?
You can’t go on holidays because you must be home to switch on the lights every night.
Geoff often gets in trouble from his wife for hijacking her beloved garden, lawn and every inch of spare shed space. Even the family caravan is choc-a-block full of lights and ornaments.
Geoff has even been known to drop 10kg thanks to being so focused on getting the display done he’s forgotten to eat. Plus, hanging lights on the roof in the sweltering Aussie summer heat is sure to shed a kilo or two.
His answer! The positives far outweigh the negatives. He does it because he simply loved looking at Christmas lights as a child and always wanted other people to feel the same joy at such a special time of year.
“I do really love doing it,” Geoff said, adding that it’s even more special now that he has grandchildren who love the lights and now pitch in to help with the setup.
“I just love the reaction I get and really enjoy seeing the same faces for those few months of the year.
“It’s just a really nice feeling.”
Geoff’s family in Gympie were renowned winners of the region’s light up competitions and when he was old enough to do it himself, he took over the tradition.
He started small by searching for used lights at local garage sales.
“My relatives did it for a long time and used to win the competition in Gympie regularly, so I decided I was going to do it with them.
“Eventually I won Gympie three times and beat them as well,” he said with a laugh.
“Then it just kept growing from there.”
One of the biggest highlights, Geoff said, is seeing adults and children with disabilities finding a sense of calm in the spirit of the Christmas lights.
“Their faces just light up and I’ve been known to shed a few tears over things like that.
“It is just amazing what happens to them when they see the display.
“A few years ago, there was a little girl with her parents who carried her in, and she was just a trembling mess but she wanted to pat the dogs that were in the sleigh.
“The parents said they couldn’t put her in the sleigh because she would hurt the dogs.
“I encouraged them to give it a go so she hopped in the sleigh and patted those dogs like a normal kid would. The shaking stopped and the parents started crying. It was amazing!
“I’ve also got families in the bay that I met when the children were young and now, they are bringing their kids.
“That’s why I still do it.”
Sadly, the Murphy Street house is now only on the Light Up map every two years after the Fraser Coast Regional Council axed the Light Up the Fraser Coast Competition six years ago.
Geoff said when you put in months of hard yakka to create something special for the community, it’s nice to be recognised for it.
His display has won the ‘Best Lights Display Category’ eight times.
“I did put suggestions to council that they were running it all wrong because they only ever gave out first place and while it’s nice to win, it would also be nice to award second, third and highly commended to reward more people for their efforts.
“Now it’s just addresses on a map and I take offence to that when I go to so much trouble.
“It would be nice if they can recognise that people want it back.”
It’s often the case that visitors from overseas have never seen anything like it in their country and live stream the display to their families and friends all over the world.
Busloads of people from around the Fraser Coast, Gympie, Gin Gin and Bundaberg and beyond all stop to take delight in it.
But there’s always one question on their lips. Who is the winner?
“It’s widespread these days with live streaming all over the world on the internet and Facebook.
“A lot of people ask, ‘who won’ and when you tell them there’s no competition, they can’t believe it!
“I estimate about 10,000 people come through each year. It’s a big drawcard for Hervey Bay.”
If all goes well with his upcoming knee construction, Geoff said the display will be back in 2024 regardless of whether council come back on board.
“I’ll just have to see if I can still get up ladders or not but it’s still a year away, so I think we’ll be okay.”
While you can’t see the display in real life in 2023 you can still get into the Christmas spirit by watching drone footage of the display from last year under 83 Murphy Street Christmas Lights 2022 on YouTube.
