One of Vicki Sullivan’s first memories as a child was watching her nan and grandfather decorate their Honour Avenue home for Christmas.
For 20 years, the Wyndham Vale couple would open their home to strangers to explore the various festive themed decorations.
“She’s 80 years old and would be up on the roof [decorating], half blind and half deaf, so we always had to make sure there was someone with her,“ Ms Sullivan said.
“All she ever wanted was to see a smile on her grandchildren, great grandchildren, any child’s face.“
This year, there will be no flashing lights wrapped around tree trunks and hanging from the gutters, no inflated Santa Clause or green and red wreaths on the door.
Ms Sullivan’s nan, Rose Young, suddenly died from a stroke in February this year, and just five months later, in July, Rose’s husband John died from cancer.
To honour her grandparents, Ms Sullivan will decorate her Hoppers Crossing home in an effort to keep their traditions alive.
“My nan always started in October, so of course I started in October, decorating takes a while, about six to eight weeks,“ she said.
“Christmas was nan and pop’s thing, I just want to keep their memory alive.
“I am [also] organising fundraising events for Peter Mac Centre and the Stroke Foundation to help raise funds…if anyone from the community [wants to] donate some things that can be used as prizes.“
Details: popslegacy2022@gmail.com
