12 years of Christmas fun for the Kilbys

(To the tune of 12 days of Christmas)

On the 12th year of Christmas “big bale things” the Kilby’s gave to Santa - a Bundy and a Boags, a nice big cookie and some carrots for the reindeer.

Going back in time there’s been: 11. A nutcracker soldier. 10. Bluey and Bingo. 9. Cow a-mooing.  8. Lion roaring. 7. Harvester working. 6. Teddy Bear cutie, 5. Santa ho ho ho-ing.  4. Very hungry caterpillar. 3. Baubles and presents. 2. Snowman melting.  And a giant sparkling Christmas tree. 

The annual nod to all things farming and festivities has been stopping traffic outside 851 Westwood Road, just a few kilometres north of Hagley, because, let’s face it, everyone loves a “big thing”.

It’s become a tradition for the family - Chris and Toni and children Emily, Harry and Meg.

Meg Kilby, 17, and her boyfriend Calan Young, have done most of the work this year, after her dad custom-rolled bales to suit the proportions for the giant cans and some small skinny ones for the carrots.

Despite the busy time on the farm and Chris having some health issues, they hand wrapped the bales and worked on a design, and Meg took care of the painting for what has proved to be their most popular big bale thing yet.

“My siblings and I used to love going around to look at the Christmas lights and we really wanted to do our own and come up with some cool designs,” she said.

“Mum and dad said that there would never be an extension cord long enough to reach the gateway and we would have to think of something else - and so the decorated bales became our gateway decorations.

“After Christmas the bales of silage will be fed out to the livestock, so there’s no wastage.”

Long farmed by Judy and Kerry Kilby, Pine Lodge Pastoral is now in the hands of their son Chris, and is highly diversified with sheep and cattle, various fodder crops, and grows vegetable crops like broccoli and beans as well as canola and poppies.

But despite Christmas being one of the busiest times of the year, the Kilbys still take time to spread some joy to everyone who sees their marvellous creation.

Here's all 11 previous displays from first to last: