REBUILDING: Chaplins keep mega display going one year after theft

After making news headlines last year for all the wrong reasons due to theft, the Strathalbyn couple behind one of the best light displays in the Fleurieu Peninsula have become well-known in the region.

Many now recognise Bernadette and John Chaplin on the street, offering friendly comments and support for their mammoth effort in their Nine Mile Road Christmas display, which takes a year of planning and three weeks to set up.

Connecting with the community has been the silver lining after $2000 worth of lights were damaged and stolen in 2021, which followed with the community rallying together to fundraise $4200 – double the stolen amount.

“We knew everyone liked it, but now we know how much it means to people,” John told The Southern Argus at the time.

“(The feedback) made me realise how much it’s appreciated.

“The community support – we’ve been really touched by it.”

As well as fundraising and kind words, many came out in droves to see their display, while local businesses offered vouchers and goods to the couple.

“We got hundreds of really nice comments… we’ve met so many nice people,” Bernadette said.

“One of the highlights last year… there was a little girl with a pink high-vis shirt on.

“She came up, and she said she was Bernadette, dressed like me.

“I got all teary, I didn’t even get a photo with her.

“That just made my night.”

Local volunteers helped the couple set up the display – braving rain and heat – and many drivers toot as they drive past.

Grinches will be deterred from attempting to steal Christmas again, as money raised by the community went towards installing security cameras and new additions to the display, including polar bears, reindeer images and a moving reindeer grazing paddock.

The much-loved Christmas display started 11 years ago with just one string of lights.

Now, the couple have a shed full of Christmas items.

“When people ask me for advice, I always say ‘don’t start’,” Bernadette joked.

“It’s an absolute addiction.

“I’m known by my family as ‘the Christmas lady’, because my house… is a department store. “I’ve got two trees, arches, everything.”

Even Santa and Mrs Claus themselves have paid the display a visit, to hand out candy canes and take photos with kids.

A dog normally roams the area in tinsel, while onlookers wander the sectioned-off walkway or pull up camping chairs.

Some families make the drive down from Adelaide to see the display, while other drivers from neighbouring roads often spot the lights and make a detour.

“It’s those little things that make it worthwhile,” Bernadette said.

Christmas Where The Angas Flows always promises a festive, cheerful crowd, and the couple expects tomorrow night will be no different.

“The street party night will probably be very busy, we’re hoping,” John said.

“Usually after they finish the fireworks, everyone comes down here and it’s chaos.”

The Chaplins are motivated in giving their time, effort and money towards the display to “make people happy”.

“It’s the magic of it all,” Bernadette said.

“You see a little child go ‘look at that’, then you’re also seeing an 80-year-old go ‘oh wow’.

“Everyone is so busy in life, everyone’s running around and doing everything, and we just watch people relax.

“That’s the main thing – watching the enjoyment.”

The Christmas light display is on Nine Mile Road, Strathalbyn, lit up every day from 8.30pm to 10.30pm and untill midnight on Friday and Saturdays – weather permitting – until New Year’s Eve.

For further information, follow ‘Christmas at Nine Mile’ on Facebook.