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Merry Christmas, Buddha!

By Gianni Francis

Dec 16, 2021

Legend: Buddha giving a grin. Photo by Megan Fisher

Notre Dame College and the Rotary Club of Shepparton went to the home of local legend Anthony ‘Buddha’ McGurgan to assist him with putting up his Christmas lights on December 9.

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Buddha’s support worker used to help him put up his lights, but when that fell through last year Rotarian Michael Blake organised some members of the club and teachers at Notre Dame College to make sure Buddha’s lights went up.

Michael Blake: The Rotary Club is looking out for Buddha. Photo by Megan Fisher

Buddha had just had a knee operation, so he wasn’t in the best shape to be up and down a ladder.

But that hadn’t stopped Buddha from starting on the Christmas decorations. On his front door was a giant wreath, and hanging from it was an odd thong and a pink shoe.

He supervised the installation from the porch as Ty Cover, Chris Segrave and Mr Blake started to hang the lights.

Supervising: Michael Blake putting up Buddah’s lights. Photo by Megan Fisher

Buddha offered them plenty of encouragement as they climbed the ladder to hang the lights.

“Don’t break your neck!” he said. “You won’t get compo from me!”

Buddah is a bit gruff, but that’s part of his charm.

Getting festive: Ty Cover putting up Buddah’s lights. Photo by Megan Fisher

Little Bonny, Buddha’s dog, ran around between their legs investigating what was going on, then sat by and observed with mild curiosity.

Buddha is a well-known and beloved character in Shepparton, who never fails to bring a smile to people’s faces.

Everyone knows him.

His most famous antic was back in the 1980s when he rode his bike off the 10m diving board into the old Raymond West Swimming Pool.

The Christmas lights that Buddha owns are quite old, and his helpers had a bit of trouble getting them to turn on. Mr Cover asked Buddha if they still worked.

“Of course they bloody work,” Buddha replied.

Buddha is a self-proclaimed "bloody maniac" Richmond Football Club supporter.

Mr Segrave brought Buddah a 2019 Tigers sticker as a present, but he already had “heaps of ’em”. Buddah was more interested in the mid-strength beers Mr Segrave brought over for him.

The guys tried to get Buddha to trade his Furphy beer beanie for a Santa hat, which took some convincing.

But they eventually got him into the Christmas spirit and Mr Segrave — who was wearing a Christmas stocking on his head — and Buddha with his Santa hat posed for a photo as Mr Blake and Mr Cover wrangled Buddha’s Christmas lights.