from 8pm on 5 December to watch the Christmas Tree lighting on Zoom.
The Borough of Queenscliffe will be delivering plenty of Christmas cheer in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale over the coming weeks, including reimagining some favourite traditions in a COVID-safe way.
The lighting of Point Lonsdale’s heritage-listed ‘Christmas tree’ will be seen from all over the world this December as part of a special first for the town’s beloved icon. While coronavirus restrictions still prevent large-scale gatherings, the Borough of Queenscliffe will turn to the magic of the internet to keep the tradition alive by broadcasting a live stream of the lighting ceremony from 8pm on Saturday 5 December.
The evening will include a feature from Santa Claus, sing-along Christmas carols and the all-important lighting of the tree by a distinguished local citizen. The broadcast can be viewed on Zoom and will also be streamed on Council’s Facebook page.
“While Christmas in the Borough may be different this year, Council is working hard to make sure it will be just as special,” said Queenscliffe CEO Martin Gill. “We’re looking forward to having local residents and visitors from far away take part in our live broadcast and share in this important tradition in a new way this year.”
Specialists will climb Point Lonsdale’s 45-metre Norfolk Pine ‘Christmas Tree’ on Saturday 14 November to begin fitting hundreds of coloured lights, though the first lighting won’t take place until the ceremony on 5 December. The tree has been illuminated each summer for more than half a century as part of an annual tradition in the Borough. Council took over the operation of the tree following the disbandment of the Rotary Club of Queenscliffe earlier this year.
The broadcast of the tree lighting is just one of many exciting Christmas activities coming the Borough, with Council preparing to install new Christmas flags in major shopping precincts. The flags, which were created by a local designer, will be the first major refresh of Council’s Christmas decorations in a number of years.
