Christmas decorations in Wollongong's Crown Street Mall have taken many forms over the years.
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From traditional trees, David Jones window displays, giant wreaths and baubles adorning the old turquoise bird cage, and even a decade of oversized fibreglass figures - including tin soldiers with scary teeth - the mall has seen it all.
This year, Wollongong City Council has ditched traditional for modern new adornments designed to reflect the times.
Beneath the infamous palm-tree-up-a-pole, the centrepiece is a "Summer Tree", a geometric creation constructed from carbon neutral materials, which reflects the colours of a hot Christmas in Australia.
With more and more of us staying home this year for Christmas and the summer holidays, it's fitting that our festive decorations have a true Aussie and Wollongong theme.
- Gordon Bradbery
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said he hoped the "fitting" summery theme would entice people back into the mall after a tough year.
"It's been a tough year for everyone, and Christmas is a chance for us to come together and celebrate," he said.
"This year our focus for the annual CBD decorations has been on celebrating our summer Christmas and the many things we have to be grateful for."
"With more and more of us staying home this year for Christmas and the summer holidays, it's fitting that our festive decorations have a true Aussie and Wollongong theme."
"The mall is for people to meet on festive occasions so enjoy the ambience, a coffee, a bite to eat and meet for a catch-up in your mall. Feast your eyes on the decorations and lose yourself in the Christmas spirit."
Another part of the council's festive display is an exhibition called The Grateful Portrait Project, which features portraits of 32 of the city's young people.
Earlier this year, the council asked young people to reflect on their experiences in 2020, and to share images representing what's important in their lives.
The exhibition combines their portraits with their response to the statement 'I am grateful for...', and is designed to show stories of "resilient youth who are encouraging everyone to celebrate the good as we move into the new year", the council said.