Liam McNally
Star Weekly has looked back at our editions and picked out a selection of our favourite stories from 2022, including this one from December 13.
Kurunjang is going to shine bright this December with the return of the Melrome Court light show.
Brett and Amy Greenland had been displaying Christmas lights outside their house for years, but in 2018 a family tragedy inspired them to use their light show as a way to work through grief, and give to other families going through similar situations.
Four years ago the Greenland’s gave birth to twins, but due to a serious genetic condition one of their sons, Jonah, passed away at just 90 minutes old.
It was during this time that they formed a close relationship with the Very Special Kids, a service that provides holistic palliative care to children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and tailored support for their family through life, death and bereavement.
Mr Greenland said when his family was facing “very dark times”, the help from Very Special Kids was “unbelievable”.
“Each decision they supported us, listened to our family and still today are alongside us to help provide counselling and regular meetings,” he said.
Mr Greenland said at the end of 2018, they didn’t feel like setting up their Christmas lights, but they decided to push through and set it up anyway, and use it as a way to raise money for Very Special Kids.
“Griefs not an easy thing to travel with,” he said.
“We wanted to put out a message of hope and inspiration that you can go through a bad storm but you can come out the other side of it, even though we probably weren’t out the other side of it then.”
The Greenland’s have raised over $10,000 for Very Special Kids, and this year, their Christmas light show is bigger than ever, comprising more than 45,000 programmable individual LED lights that can be set to music.
Mr Greenland said he wants as many people as possible to come down and share in the show.
“Jonah has become the centre and light of our life and via our lights display we get the privilege to honour his story every year … We do it for the community and to raise hope and awareness that no matter what you’re facing there can still be joy and light in the darkest of Places,” he said.
The Greenland’s light show will begin nightly at 8.45pm, and from December 16 special guest visits will be happening from the likes of Bluey, Snow White, and Santa, building towards their major event on Christmas Eve.
