Christmas decorations in Warrnambool’s city centre have taken on a distinctly regional theme.
Local artists have presented an antipodean take on Christmas and the results are impressive.
A selection of the city’s older Christmas decorations have been turned over to local artists to reimagine. Using the frame as a starting point, they have all put a new spin on the ornaments, reflecting what Christmas in Australia means to them.
This is joined in the CBD by the Memory in Motion Christmas window displays.
“The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in the Warrnambool CBD,” Manager City Centre Renewal Tanya Egan said.
“We now have a Christmas trail for people to follow starting at either the northern or southern end of the city centre.
“These artworks, along with the stunning Christmas tree at the Civic Green, add to the vibrancy of Warrnambool’s city centre in the lead up to Christmas.”
Follow the city centre Christmas trail
If you’re at the north end of town, start at the Liebig St and Raglan Pde intersection which features Australian animal-inspired Christmas trees by David Higgins and striking gumtree-themed work by Shelley Knoll-Miller.
Then head south down Liebig St to the former Curtains and Things building to discover (or re-discover) the belltower crafted by Henk de Kok for one of the iconic Swinton’s window displays of yesteryear. This is the first instalment in the Memory in Motion project.
Next it’s off to a brand new diorama at the old ANZ building created by artists Glenn Morgan and Dave Jones with assistance from the Warrnambool Triton Woodworkers. The scene depicts a secret visit to Warrnambool by Santa Claus… but not everything goes to plan. Local radio presenter Jeremy Lee wrote and voiced the accompanying poem.
Complete the Memory in Motion trilogy and visit the former Collins Booksellers building and watch digitised Super 8 footage of historic Swinton’s window displays in all their animatronic glory.
From here it’s just a few metres over to the Civic Green, which features two mermaids bearing Christmas messages created by Julie Poi Kelly and colourful, giant baubles by Rachel Peters. If it’s dark enough, you’ll also be able to enjoy the city’s giant Christmas tree… truly a sight to behold.
Head towards the war memorial and you’ll see two more fantastic Christmas decorations. There’s the purple shooting star by Katherine Gage and Murray Adams plus a playful, blue seahorse created by Helen and Des Bunyon.
The last stop on the Christmas trail will take you east along Merri St to the cutting, where you’ll find Colleen Guiney’s Christmas wreath.
While that’s the last of the new Christmas decorations, there’s no need for the walk to end here. Cannon Hill’s breathtaking vistas, the internationally recognised Lake Pertobe adventure playground and of course, Warrnambool’s beaches, are just moments away.
