Back, standing, from left, Mia, Michelle, Bailey and Ben Snow, Leon, Lyn and Chloe McCabe, Tony and Bec Joyce. Front, kneeling, from left, Shylah and Ryder Joyce, Cora, Dan and Bailey Propsting.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Situated conveniently on Lake Kialla, Ben and Michelle Snow’s Gordon Dve home lends itself nicely to their festive and growing ghoulish displays with, essentially, two home frontages: one roadside and one lakeside.
For one frightening night only, on October 31, it will come alive with spooks and spectres filling the yards, roofs and walk-through maze in the garage for those who dare to enter.
The family don’t decorate for donations, but they’re asking anyone who swings by and enjoys their dark deathly display to consider contributing to the cause.
What began with a few humble Christmas decorations at the Joyce family home in Kialla, quickly grew into one of the most impressive festive displays in the Goulburn Valley.
Three years ago, Tony Joyce was inspired to convert the commotion on his front lawn into coin to help sick kids through The Kids’ Cancer Project.
The first year, close to $5000 was raised. The second year, last year, they almost tripled it, collecting more than $15,000.
“We’re on track to triple that again for the third event,” Mr Joyce said.
This year, with four families joining forces and a Halloween house added to the mix, the tally is already near the new $30,000 goal at $26,145 before All Hallows’ Eve, or Santa, has even arrived.
The Snows have so many Halloween decorations to delight visitors that they fill an entire storage unit.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The team — including the Joyces, Snows, Leon and Lyn McCabe, and Dan Propsting, and their children — has reassessed and decided they will now try to reach that target by Halloween.
Their new goal by Christmas is $50,000.
Funds are raised by cash, electronic and online donations, raffle ticket and icy-pole sales, and, for the first time this year, a silent online auction that will begin on November 1 and run until December 24.
So far, prizes worth more than $5500 have been donated for the raffle and auction by local businesses, including accommodation and entertainment packages, custom artwork, food, electronics and memorabilia.
Mr Joyce also offers Santa-for-hire services for schools, daycares and functions, where his fee will also be donated to the cause.
You can swing by the Snows’ spooky display at 99 Gordon Dve, Kialla, on October 31.
