An annual Millicent festive season competition is now under way thanks to backing from a number of local businesses.
The 2020 Christmas Lights Spectacular is open to all residents in Millicent, Southend, Beachport, Rendelsham, Mount Burr and Tantanoola and indeed any house with a 5280 or 5279 postcode.
They are asked to decorate their houses with Christmas lights for a chance to win a share of $1750.
Entrants are required to lodge their entries by December 1 at the offices of South East Property Sales and Management at either Millicent or Beachport.
In years gone by, Millicent Lights Up! would have been by groups such as the Millicent Business Community Association.
The competition was revised and renamed in 2019 and it is currently being staged by South East Property Sales and Management.
Sponsorship has also come from local firms 3MP, Banner Mitre 10, e-smart electrical and Hume Taylor &co. A Millicent couple can be regarded as “experts” when it comes to spreading joy at Christmas.
The inaugural winners out of 14 entries of the Christmas Lights Spectacular in 2019 were Bob and Sandy Fallon of 3 Stewart Street, Millicent (near McArthur Park Kindergarten).
They were also winners in past years when the contest was known as Millicent Lights Up!
South East Property Sales and Management proprietor Fiona Telfer said the main motivation to stage the decorated Christmas lights event was to cheer people up.
She said the COVID pandemic had affected the community. “Decorated houses are a COVID-safe activity as they can be viewed from your own vehicle,” Ms Telfer said.
“We are also running bus tours of the Christmas lights. “The winners of the $1000 first prize and the two consolation prizes will be decided by a popular vote.
“Votes can be submitted online and in hard copy form.”
Staging the decorated lights competition is not the only Christmas event to demand the attention of Ms Telfer and her team at South East Property Sales and Management.
The firm has donated $1000 from its community funnel to the annual Millicent Combined Churches and Agencies Christmas Appeal Committee.
For over 30 years, this group has provided hampers, toys and vouchers to the needy each festive season. South East Property Sales and Management donates $100 from every sale into its community funnel which, in turn, is distributed to causes such as Christmas appeal.
Furthermore, South East Property Sales and Management has recently opened an office at Beachport through its purchase of the By The Sea real estate agency operated by Belinda Simon.
