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12 days of Gunbower Christmas

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Where to go: 1. Gunbower Island Map, 2. Bob and Gail’s Stuff For Sale, 3. Butter Factory, 4. Island Foreshore, 5. Workshop Cafe, 6. McGillivray Butcher Shop, 7. Gunbower Hotel, 8. Gunbower Roadhouse, 9. Kevin William’s Art Gallery, 10. Memorial Hall, 11. Old Gunbower Bakery, 12. Gunbower Holiday Park. Photo by Contributed

The Gunbower community have truly outdone themselves this festive season with their 12 days of Gunbower Christmas trail.

The interactive trail tells a story by pointing visitors in the direction of iconic town locations and incorporates many beloved community faces.

Letitia Edwards was the brainchild behind the decorations.

“Everybody had such a hard time during COVID-19 and the floods, so we really wanted to create something the town could really enjoy,” Ms Edwards said.

“We also want to encourage people to get out to Gunny and come and see what our town has to offer after all these interruptions.”

She said Gunbower receives a Christmas decoration budget every year and had not used the entire budget during the pandemic, which meant they were able to roll over the budget from previous years and create something truly special.

“I was conscious and nervous about whether the trail was too soon after the floods and whether it was insensitive but we went around and got feedback from everybody and they were just like, yes please, take our minds off of the floods,” she said.

“We rolled out each number one by one so everybody was so excited and eager to find out where and who would be next, especially the kids.

“We have such a good community. Everybody has helped out to make this happen.”

And she’s not wrong. While Ms Edwards designed and photographed all the images, local antiques dealer and sign-writer Bob Dickson painted and wrote on the signs with the help of local artist Kevin Williams, who also painted signs.

One community member even offered up their boat for the four fisherman display.

To coincide with the trail several businesses in Gunbower are giving away vouchers to those who can take the best selfies at each site.

Check out the Gunbower Butter Factory’s social media pages for giveaways across the month.

First day: My true love sent to me a Best and Fairest Premiership winner, Mila Ryan. Photo by Steve Huntley
Second day: My true love sent to me ‘Two Dollar Bob’ A.K.A Bob Dickson. Gail Dickson also pictured. Photo by Steve Huntley
Third day: My true love sent to me three butter churners. Photo by Steve Huntley
Fourth day: My true love sent to me four fisherman. Photo by Steve Huntley
Hook, line and sinker: Four fisherman at the Gunbower Creek. Photo by Steve Huntley
Fifth day: My true love sent to me five bonkers baristas. Kim Ferris, Diana Marsh and Tahlia Segat from the Gunbower Workshop Cafe. Photo by Steve Huntley
Sixth day: My true love sent to me six burley butchers. Pictured is the beloved McGillivray family from McGillivray Butchers. Photo by Steve Huntley
Seventh day: My true love sent to me seven cows mooing. Pictured outside the iconic Gunbower Hotel. Photo by Steve Huntley
Eighth day: My true love sent to me eight Gunny Bombers. Located at the Gunny Roadhouse. Photo by Steve Huntley
Ninth day: My true love sent to me nine kangaroos hopping. Tanya Flower and Kevin Williams at Kevin Williams Art Gallery. Photo by Steve Huntley
Tenth day: My true love sent to me 10 ladies baking. Photo by Steve Huntley
Flour, whisks and fun: Kevin Williams, Bob Dickson, Letitia Edwards, Margaret Horrower and Marg L’ Huillier outside the Gunbower Memorial Hall next to their photo of the 10th day of Christmas. Photo by Steve Huntley
Eleventh day: My true love sent to me 11 premiership winners. Under 13’s Leitchy Gunny Bombers netball team. Photo by Steve Huntley
Twelfth day: My true love sent to me 12 grey nomads. Located at the Gunbower Holiday Park. Photo by Steve Huntley