Scene brings back meaning

By Dion Teasdale
TWO Lilydale residents have combined their artistic and building talents in an effort to remind the community of the true meaning of Christmas.
Ray Oliver and Peter Tucker, both residents of Tudor Village Lilydale, have hand-crafted a life-like nativity scene for the retirement village’s community centre.
The scene features almost a dozen hand-painted wooden figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable, complete with three wise men and farm animals in attendance.
Mr Oliver, a retired builder who spent 15 years of his working life helping to restore the historical Mont De Lancey property in Wandin, had the initial vision for the project.
“These days Christmas is too commercial. I wanted to do something for our community that would remind people what the real meaning of Christmas is,” he explained.
“Christmas is meant to be about peace on earth and that message is just as relevant today as it has ever been – if not more relevant.”
To bring his vision to fruition, Mr Oliver turned to one of Tudor Village’s resident artists, Peter Tucker, who has been an enthusiastic painter most of his life.
“Ray’s vision was to keep the scene as real as possible and I eventually found images in a children’s bible that became the inspiration for the design of our scene,” Mr Tucker said.
While Mr Tucker worked on the character design, Mr Oliver put together a scale model of the scene and they approached the retirement village’s manager, Colin Round, hoping for support.
“We thought it would be great to create the scene in our community centre where all residents and their families and friends could come and see it,” Mr Oliver said.
“We weren’t sure Colin would want us messing up the centre fireplace, but he thought it was a good idea right away.”
Mr Round said he was delighted by the initiative and hard work of the residents.
“We believe strongly in older people using the skills and talents they have acquired through life well beyond retirement,” Mr Round said.
“This idea fitted into that exactly and is a terrific example of just what can be achieved when people keep active and motivated.”
The nativity scene took four weeks to design, construct, paint and install and was unveiled to the Tudor Village community earlier this month. “It is an inspirational piece of work. It is a delight for Tudor Village residents, and the wider community,” resident Don McLean said.
“It reminds us of the real meaning of this time of year – that Christmas is about reflecting on the need for peace, love, tolerance and understanding in the world.”