In the spirit of Christmas, former mayor donates trees to two villages

ABOVE: The tale of two Christmas trees – Mallanganee and Bonalbo.

Susanna Freymark

Two villages have had Christmas brightened by the gift of a tall Christmas tree from Kyogle councillor and former mayor Danielle Mulholland.

“Everyone could do with having their spirits lifted by something as simple as a Christmas tree,” Ms Mulholland said.

The trees for Mallanganee and Bonalbo were part of a promise as far back as 2013.

Mallanganee shop owner Tanya Wotton said when she was president of the progress association, she asked Ms Mulholland if the village could have Kyogle’s old decorations when they got new ones.

“She said she would try,” Ms Wotton said.

Ms Wotton wrote a Facebook post about how disappointed they were in the village when they didn’t get any decorations.

“She commented that if they didn’t supply any, she would personally buy us some.”

Years later and she is a woman of her word, Ms Wotton said.

“We got a tree and solar lights.”

The 2.4m tree sits in the front window of the Mallanganee General Store.

In Bonalbo, the gifted tree sits on the Bonalbo Memorial Hall awning.

Bonalbo Progress Association member Sharon Tucker said the position was so everyone could see it.

Years ago, Bonalbo had a real tree in the park that was decorated every Christmas.

That tree died.

“There was some discontent with poorer quality trees,” Ms Tucker said as the village searched for a replacement tree.

“There was grumbling about the versions that followed,” she said.

Two weeks ago, “we got word there was a tree waiting for us” and association president John Tart picked it up and with Dave Tucker secured it on the awning.

“A lot of people didn’t know Danielle gave it,” Ms Tucker said.

“We’re very grateful.”

Ms Mulholland said with council’s tight budget after years of drought, bushfires, covid and floods she “bit the bullet” and bought the artificial trees.

“I’d hoped to keep it anonymous,” she said.

“I saw these trees come up on sale and because Bonalbo and Mallanganee had been vocal about wanting a tree, I grabbed two eight-foot trees with their own solar lights.”

Ms Mulholland wants to do the same for Tabulam and Woodenbong when she can.

In Mallanganee and Bonalbo, the new trees are twinkling with Christmas cheer and the spirit of the local councillor.