Our Christmas Lights
This page is all about our Christmas lights that first went up in earnest in 2002. That is not to say that this is a new interest of mine. I have been interested in lighting all of my life that I can remember. Guess it started with putting the lights on the family Christmas tree when I was a young tacker. Then using the old headlights out of my car as garden lights when I converted my car to the then new halogen headlights. Then there were the years that I ran my mobile disco "Sonic Sound" for which I built custom light show controllers for as you couldn't buy them! But the "turning point" was when I got involved in the local theatricial group as lighting and sound technician. Must have done something right, as the guy who I taught "the ropes" went on to tour with the hit muscial "Poi E" as lighting engineer!
The Photo Gallery
And a story on each of these - Behind The Scenes - 2002 Display - 2003 Display
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this all take to put up?
The most asked question, and one that I can't answer. I work Monday to Friday and therefore
cannot spend anymore than a weekend on putting up lights. Plus every year so far has seen more lights than the year before, and as most
of our lights are not "pay and plug", they involve manufacture and/or modification for the role.
What does this cost you to run?
Again, not too sure - we purchased another freezer right in the middle of the billing period.
But by my calculations we used an extra 300 units over 30 days - that's about $1.60 a day.
Why do you do it?
Because I like doing it. And my wife supports me. And the neat feeling you get when you are sitting on the
deck at night, and you hear "Wow, look at that!"
Guess what?
There are only
What is happening?
Stats in a flash
2002 Display
• 3216 lamps lit
• Broadcasting on FM
2003 Display
• 7776 lamps lit
• Broadcasting on FM
• Permission from council to erect lights in tree outside
• 10 of 13 "ideas" in place
• Synchronised control of lights
2004 Display
• No lights up as we were in the Philippines
• Busy designing extra 10,000 lamp 2005 displays
Check back here late 2005 for updates!
