Mary Kartesz-Wardroper and Alan Wardroper have one of the most popular and well-known houses in Mandurah. Each year, their Meadow Springs home and gardens are decked top to bottom with Christmas decorations, attracting thousands of visitors all keen for a slice of festive cheer.
Their commitment to spreading joy and happiness to the local community and beyond at Christmas time has landed them a Local Legends award, presented by Mayor Rhys Williams at this week’s Council meeting.
“Mary and Alan put in a huge amount of effort every year to decorate their home and spread happiness at Christmas time, as well as making amazing donations every year to worthy local causes,” Mayor Williams said. “They are so generous with their time, opening their house every night during the festive season, and people’s faces light up when they step inside this wonderland. Mary and Alan are true community champions.”
For close to 10 years, the couple has decorated every square inch of their home in colourful Christmas decorations and sparkly lights. They begin decorating in August, from the gardens and garages to the bedrooms, laundry and even the toilet.
Visitors to the spectacular home are invited to make a donation, and over the years the Wardropers have raised close to $100,000 for the K9 Dog Rescue group. They also donated to the Peel Children’s Ward the first year they opened their home.
Mary’s passion for Christmas decorating started as a teenager in the US, where she decorated her home every year for close to 40 years. When she moved to Australia, she brought a near-full shipping container of decorations with her to continue the tradition.
Their Meadow Springs home is a must-see at Christmas time, with hundreds of people visiting each day, including bus loads of visitors from Perth and the northern suburbs. The Wardroper’s home has won Synergy’s best lights competition multiple times, with its 600 Christmas trees, close to 50 nativity scenes and thousands of lights and ornaments.
Alan jokes that after placing a wayward bauble on a tree one year, Mary now takes charge and oversees all decorating duties, last year with the help of some local students and K9 volunteers. Local businesses also donate sweet treats and lolly bags for the visitors to enjoy.
Mary thanked the community for their support and helping to raise the money for K9.
