What started as a simple lighting display aimed at bringing some Christmas cheer could well develop into a premier tourist attraction for the region according to Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Mayor Peter Taylor.

Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland 2009 was launched today (Wednesday 28, October) at City Hall by Cr Taylor and he spoke enthusiastically of the Wonderland’s early beginnings.

He paid tribute to the Burstow family for its vision, imagination and community spirit in wanting to create a Christmas lights display that captured the hearts of visitors whether young or old.

That display has continued to evolve each year, outgrowing its Ruthven Street home and prompting a move to Toowoomba’s Queens Park Gardens in 2008 which saw an estimated 48,000 people pass through the gate.

That number is expected to grow to 55,000 this year.

Cr Taylor said an event like the Christmas Wonderland “doesn’t just happen” – it required an enormous amount of planning and effort behind the scenes.

“The volunteer groups that dedicate so much time and energy to this project deserve special mention,” he said.

“It highlights the great community spirit that exists in the region, with in excess of 3000 volunteer hours being donated to ensure the success of the 2008 Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland.

“Volunteers came from organisations such as Lions, Lifeline, Toowoomba Hospice, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, 2nd Toowoomba Scouts, Quota, Apex, Pathfinders and many others,” he said.

“They should all be congratulated for helping create an event that will stand alongside our best regional drawcards and for treating the community to a visual spectacle that amazingly gets better each year.”

Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland 2009 will be open nightly from December 5 to December 24.

Cr Taylor said TRC had approved an extended area of the Botanical Gardens that will be perfect for a themed children’s area featuring a short Christmas movie, a “talking tree of lights” and a number of new light displays.

He also reminded residents that an exciting feature of this year’s Christmas Wonderland would be a special children’s night, sponsored by council, on Saturday, December 12 featuring Humphrey B. Bear.

Cr Taylor said there was a website for any organisation or individual wishing to register as a volunteer for this year’s event (only registered volunteers will be accepted).

For more information visit www.christmaswonderland.com.au