‘I don’t flick any switches’: New tech behind Old Junee’s biggest Christmas light display

OLD JUNEE’s most colourful corner has lit up once again, with thousands of twinkling LEDs transforming a George Street property into one of the district’s most recognisable Christmas displays.

Wrapped across the cottage, caravan, fence, roofline and yard, the display features roughly 8,000 LED lights, glowing candy canes, window scenes, festive cut-outs and animated features.

And it’s all running seamlessly each night without a single switch being touched.

“They’re all run on Wi-Fi timers,” Bailey Dalby said. “They’re the absolute best, I don’t flick any switches anymore.”

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

This is Bailey’s third Christmas display in Old Junee, after earlier years decorating homes in Forest Hill, and despite wild weather limiting some elements this season, the display has continued to grow.

“The display has grown, but I’ve also left a few things out,” he said. “I do have quite a few inflatables, but the weather just hasn’t been good enough for them.”

“The wind was a big delay this year. A lot of the time I’d go to climb the ladder and it would start raining or be extremely windy — it’s just not safe,” he said.

Still, Bailey powered through the setup in just six weeks of weekends.

“I put in more hours and smashed it out this year,” he said.

“I just love it.”

And while climbing onto the roof is still not his favourite task, the results speak for themselves, with the George Street home glowing from every angle.

“I’ve only gained the confidence to get on the roof in the last two years, and it still isn’t my favourite job,” he admits.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Packed with detail

Among the highlights are a glowing caravan framed with candy canes, kangaroos in Santa hats, sparkling gift boxes, colourful roof decorations, and festive window scenes.

“The projectors are definitely a big hit, last year I had them going on three different windows, as well as an outdoor projector screen,” Bailey said.

“My favourite part would have to be my moving reindeer, or my grinch Christmas cut-out set, handmade and painted by a family in Goulburn.”

When the weather allows, visitors will also find free candy canes attached to the front of the caravan for passers-by to enjoy.

Inside the house, even the spare bedroom has become part of the Christmas operation, currently storing inflatables that were too tall or too weather-sensitive to safely install this year — including a 2.7-metre drummer bear waiting for calmer skies.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

A community favourite

The Old Junee display continues to draw visitors from across the shire and beyond.

“People definitely do travel, I know a lot come from Wagga,” Bailey said.

And while one lone critic has surfaced over the years, the overwhelming response has been positive.

“We’ve only ever had negative comments from one person, but that only inspires us to grow more.”

Bailey says the real motivation comes from seeing the joy it brings to others.

“My motivation comes from people’s love for the display,” he said. “I try to go all out and be different to other displays.”

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Where it all began

Behind the lights and technology is a much deeper story.

Bailey’s passion for Christmas displays began in childhood, decorating alongside his father.

“I used to do lights with my dad when I was younger before my parents separated,” he said. “I kept as many of the lights as I could.”

That tradition has now stretched across more than a decade of Christmas displays, gradually growing in scale and confidence.

“I’ve been doing displays for about 10 years now.”

He continues to expand by buying items throughout the year and snapping up bargains during Boxing Day sales.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Looking ahead to 2026

Bailey already has his sights set on next Christmas.

“Yep, we’ll be back for 2026, and I’m planning to expand a lot next year,” he said.

His long-term goal is ambitious.

“Eventually, when I have enough of a collection, I’d love to create a walk-through of some sort.”

“One thing on my list is a mega tree made from fairy lights, something like what was in the Old Junee paddock last year.”

What began as a childhood bonding ritual has evolved into one of Old Junee’s most anticipated Christmas displays, and Bailey shows no signs of slowing down.

For him, the lights are more than decoration. They’re a glowing reminder of where it all began, and a gift he now shares with the wider community every festive season.