NESTLED in the picturesque countryside on the outskirts of Coonawarra, the impressive winner of the annual Stuffed Santa competition can be seen trying out his day/night cricket skills.
Standing over five metres tall, owners of Murray’s Country Cottages, Bill and Marg Murray and their son David created a spectacular entry for the annual Christmas competition.
“It’s all for the children really, it is great to see them get enjoyment out of seeing the Santa,” Mr Murray said.
With hobbies being the theme this year, the creators reused the Santa entered in the 2014 competition and showcased him as one of the Australian cricket team’s new players.
“As the Ashes was on during the time of the competition, we thought it would be fitting to create him in a day/night test match,” Ms Murray said.
With a large pink cricket ball featured between the tinsel-decorated cricket stumps, the scene is enhanced further with the addition of a cricket roller.
The Santa is made from a rainwater tank and chemical drums, with compact disks for eyes and a hard hat for a nose.
“Our son had many chemical drums lying around and as they could not be recycled we thought this would be a great way to use them,” Ms Murray said.
Santa’s shoes also put to use the recycled chemical drums and were cut in half and spray-painted black, with large amounts of stretchy red fabric used to replicate his distinct outfit.
“I sewed together Santa’s clothes, doing the legs by hand, and stuffed his arms with pillow fillings,” Ms Murray said.
She said the task of dressing the Santa took a full day.
“The group effort to initially build him was a three-day process,” Mr Murray said.
As the Santa is located at the entrance of the cottages, Mr and Ms Murray said they noticed various cars stopping by for a glimpse of the creation.
The couple said they were proud to win and enjoyed supporting the festive concept.
