WHAT began as the purchase of three Christmas village decorations more than 25 years ago has developed in to a lifelong passion for Murray Downs resident Robert Crawford.
Every year since that buy at Myer in Melbourne, he has added to the assembly of trains, carousels, houses and figurines that create his unique Christmas spectacle.
His collection is so extensive that he had a room built to house it.
He still has two of the three original pieces.
The former Melbourne resident decided to build the room so he didn’t have the momentous task of assembling and disassembling the collection each year.
Word has spread throughout the region and Mr Crawford was welcoming more than 50 people a night to his home.
He said interest in the display was growing and people had to wait to take turns entering the Christmas wonderland.
“There are quite a few that call in and the kids love it, the adults love it as well,” Mr Crawford said.
“When I lived in Melbourne I had two rooms set up and I would pack it away each year.
“It started to get a bit intense setting it up, although I did enjoy doing it.”
Moving to the area two and a half years ago, Mr Crawford has strong ties to the Swan Hill community with family members in the area and he even spent his first birthday in Swan Hill.
Welcoming all from the community that want to share in his love of the Christmas village, all he asks is a gold coin donation for Swan Hill hospital.
