WHAT could be more Aussie than a Christmas tree made of pluggers? Unsuspecting beach lovers have been delighted by the surprise return of the infamous Lighthouse Beach thong tree. For the fourth consecutive year, local sculptor and artist Mary Pavicich has gifted the community with a new installation decorated with rubbery footwear either left behind or washed up on the sand. "It started as a present to local people and every year there's been a bit of a theme," Mrs Pavicich said. "There's also a book attached to the base of the tree so people can share and read Christmas messages. "This year, I really wanted to create a tee pee so people could sit inside it if they wanted, but we've used the same star each year." The thong tree, as it has been aptly named, is perched on a sand dune about 700 metres south of the Lighthouse Beach camel ride entrance and will remain until the end of January. While Mrs Pavicichi is glad beach lovers appreciate her work, her motivation is simply making "something out of nothing" - and providing somewhere people can reflect on the true spirit of Christmas. At the base of this year's driftwood creation is a friendly note instructing visitors to dig in the sand and find the notebook tucked inside a plastic sleeve, where people can share their thoughts, a Christmas message or prayer.
Christmas theme: Thong tree artist Mary Pavicich gets a welcome lift from Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club active patrolling members Ryan Rosenbaum, Stephanie Clark, Jasmine Lawrence, Amanda Higgerson and Max Atherton.
WHAT could be more Aussie than a Christmas tree made of pluggers?
Unsuspecting beach lovers have been delighted by the surprise return of the infamous Lighthouse Beach thong tree.
For the fourth consecutive year, local sculptor and artist Mary Pavicich has gifted the community with a new installation decorated with rubbery footwear either left behind or washed up on the sand.
"It started as a present to local people and every year there's been a bit of a theme," Mrs Pavicich said.
"There's also a book attached to the base of the tree so people can share and read Christmas messages.
"This year, I really wanted to create a tee pee so people could sit inside it if they wanted, but we've used the same star each year."
The thong tree, as it has been aptly named, is perched on a sand dune about 700 metres south of the Lighthouse Beach camel ride entrance and will remain until the end of January.
While Mrs Pavicichi is glad beach lovers appreciate her work, her motivation is simply making "something out of nothing" - and providing somewhere people can reflect on the true spirit of Christmas.
At the base of this year's driftwood creation is a friendly note instructing visitors to dig in the sand and find the notebook tucked inside a plastic sleeve, where people can share their thoughts, a Christmas message or prayer.
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