ONE tonne of new Christmas lights crossed the country to arrive in Raymond Terrace earlier this month for the lighting of the town's famed pine tree.
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The half-century tradition of lighting the Norfolk Island pine in the yard of the old Anglican rectory off Jacaranda Avenue is set for today, Wednesday, November 26. Last year storms damaged the Christmas lights beyond repair. Port Stephens Council has stepped in and ordered new lighting from Brisbane.
"We are really proud to be involved in this," Port Stephens Council's Jason Linnane said.
"The new lights are more durable and should last us for plenty of years."
Once the lights are ready top go Dwayne Hopper, best known as Hopper the Tree Lopper, will be called in for installation while council staff hook up the electrics on the ground.
The landmark tree has been decorated with lights every year since 1961 and is believed to be the tallest decorated Christmas tree in the southern hemisphere. It is almost 50 metres tall and its festive glow can be seen for many kilometres.
