THE gift of giving remains strong this festive season as dozens of residents rally behind a Christmas light display raising funds for the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group.
Helen Roesler is one of many Mount Gambier residents who are helping to brighten the Blue Lake city with festive displays, transforming her Acacia Street residence into a must-see spectacle.
The festive season fanatic started building her display a decade ago when she moved to the property.
Among the former wildlife carer’s main attractions is a motorised kangaroo display, partly inspired by native wildlife decorations used in the Loxton lights displays.
“My husband and I were wildlife carers and put a lot of joeys back in the bush as well as a few wombats so we thought it tied in nicely,” Ms Roesler said.
“I rang Loxton and told them I was interested in making something similar so they helped me with the mechanisms.”
Ms Roesler said her elves and kangaroo creations were all crafted from recyclable materials and were designed by herself, cut by her husband and painted by foster children.
“A neighbour across the road previously had her house all lit up for Autism SA which is where the idea for donations came from,” she said.
“A friend of mine’s wife died of cancer around the same time and gave us a lot of older lights we still use.
“After I raised funds for another group which sent their money to Adelaide, I began helping the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group because they kept their funds for South East families.”
A short time later, Ms Roesler’s husband was diganosed with cancer.
“He was off for 12 months due to a rare cancer lump in his neck,” she said.
Ms Roesler said he was now in remission after surgery and extensive radiation therapy.
Recalling her husband’s stay at the Cancer Council SA Dequetteville Terrace village, Ms Roesler said one third of occupants were Limestone Coast residents.
“Cancer seems to be very prolific in this area,” she said.
“It is very humbling knowing the money I raise will go to families which are being affected.”
Already filling one donation tin and half of another, Ms Roesler hopes to beat the $573 figure she raised last year for the cancer support group.
“I had an operation earlier this week, but I was straight back out there at night in my Santa outfit helping to raise money,” she said.
“It does get a bit chaotic with people lining up down the street, but the support group members agreed they were going to come and help the couple of days before Christmas.
“There is a sign I bring out and I see cars who go past the house slowly to look at the lights, go around the block and come back to donate because they have seen my sign.
“I love the buzz … I think we have one of the most unique displays in Mount Gambier, but we do not have the technology Hilltop Avenue has.
“We also do not have the money other people may have, but we have the fence and the roof which works to our advantage.”
Ms Roesler said she had more than 140 items donated by Woolworths Mount Gambier Marketplace, including Christmas-themed headbands to give to visiting children.
“Last year when I was shopping, I saw this stand which had a range of things for people to take for free,” she said.
“I originally thought I would just take a few for the grandchildren and then I thought about the next door neighbours and so on.
“I ended up having a meeting with the manager and they donated 140 to 160 items for me to give out to the children when they visit the night displays.”
Ms Roesler said Mount Gambier had come alive with Christmas light displays in recent years.
“We have had people from around the corner come and introduce themselves while having a look,” she said.
“I think it is similar to Hahndorf and how it draws people in so it is good for the kids and the community.
“We have had people come off the highway because they have seen the lights.”
Ms Roesler hoped to continue with her display in years to come.
“We held a competition for the children last year to name the seven-foot light-up snowman,” she said.
“A young girl named him Mr Hatter, but we want to hold another next year to name the elves.
“You never know your destination, but I really do enjoy it.”
The house at 2 Acacia Street will light up from 8pm, with donations accepted until late.
