The Castle at Tura Beach is once again lighting up for the Christmas period.
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The Reynolds family have been putting on spectacular Christmas light shows at their Dolphin Cove house since 2007 but unfortunately last year lights were the last thing on their mind.
Many people thought dramas with council may have been the reason behind the one year hiatus but the family has informed the News Weekly that the real reason was much more tragic.
“In September 2015 our youngest child suffered a catastrophic brain injury while a patient in Bega,” Mick Reynolds said. “We spent six months at the Children's Hospital in Randwick with him and were not around last Christmas to do the lights.”
Mick’s 15-year-old son Kieran is now living back at home with the family in Tura, and as a tribute to his younger brother, Rian created a special light display to the Star Wars theme.
“Kieran has always loved Star Wars, he’s a Star Wars fanatic,” Rian said.
When the family first started decorating the house they covered it in 7,000 lights but each year they have striven to do something different, something better and something more exciting.
This year Rian, who is the mastermind behind the spectacular show, put up around 35,000 lights, coordinated it all to music and even included a fire gun to shoot flames into the air.
The lights were turned on for the first time on Saturday night, December 3, by Georgia Spiropoulos, the 10-year-old daughter of one of Kieran’s carers.
“We had hoped that Kieran would improve enough to be able to turn the lights on but unfortunately he wasn’t able to do it,” Mick said.
The music and light show will be on from 8.30pm to 10.30pm each night until December 31, except on any night it’s raining.
This year the Reynolds family has put up a wishing well and while donations are optional they hope people will give generously with all money going to The Children's Hospital Foundation, a foundation that has greatly helped the family. You can also donate at www.lightsforkids.org.au/santas-aussie-castle.