Around the district, 150 homes decorated their public spaces and 27 entrants registered for the championship hoping to secure the title of best house, best farm or best business category.
This year also saw the ‘ultimate gong’ of the ‘‘iconoclast — inspiring design, style and scale’’ award introduced — a crystal plinth sculpture and a cash prize.
It took more than three hours for Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, renowned local artist Lyndsey Quinlan and Primary Partners managing director Andrew Gibbs to score the field of displays.
‘‘There was an amazing range of properties with every one having something unique to offer. When we came on board to take this project up a gear, I had no idea the work people were prepared to put in,’’ Mr Gibbs said.
‘‘We had hundreds of visitors from Kerang, Barham, Gunbower and even a few from Echuca.
‘‘Everyone will agree when they see the installation executed by the Clifford family in Kirby St, that they were a truly deserving winner.
‘‘With more than nine major constructions, 1000s of sound reacting LEDs and theatre seating to take it all in, it rang out as the clear icon.’’
Other category winners included:
■Best house — Teagan of Sampson St;
■Best farm — Campi Family Island Rd; and
■Best business — Jenni Finn of Factory and Field.
Winners were presented with their prizes at the New Year’s Eve festival at Garden Park, Cohuna by Mr Gibbs and Gannawarra Shire councillor Sonia Wright.
The competition was partnered by Cohuna Neighbourhood House and the Cohuna Progress Association.
Mr Gibbs said this year Primary Partners would ‘‘raise the bar yet again with another category and increased prize offerings’’.
