On Sunday, 8 February, Mandurah Cruises proudly hosted a special Thank You & Awards evening for the residents of the Port Mandurah Canals, recognising their outstanding efforts during the Christmas lights season. Each year, this much-loved festive tradition transforms the canals into a glowing spectacle, drawing visitors from near and far to experience the magic of the displays. Beyond the visual wonder, the event also plays an important role in giving back, raising valuable funds through the Wishing Well initiative for the Rotary Club of Mandurah Districts, which supports a wide range of local charities and community groups.

The thank you celebration brought together around 200 Port Mandurah Canal residents at the Halls Head Parade Community and Sports Facility for an evening of appreciation and connection. Guests enjoyed a relaxed night of food, drinks, and an awards presentation honouring the creativity and dedication shown throughout the season. We extend our sincere thanks to Visit Mandurah for sponsoring the venue hire, and to the Lions Club of Falcon for providing the BBQ facilities and support on the night.

Guests arrived from 4:30pm to kick off an evening of celebration, welcomed with a selection of local wines and beers at the bar alongside a beautifully prepared grazing board. The relaxed start set the tone for a social and well-deserved night of recognition, with plenty of time for residents to connect and share stories from the festive season. A delicious dinner followed, freshly prepared by our Mandurah Cruises chefs, as guests continued to mingle and enjoy the atmosphere. Once dinner concluded, the formal proceedings began with speeches and the awards presentation.

The evening’s presentations opened with a warm welcome and thank you address from Natalie Goddard, Mandurah Cruises Commercial Operations Manager, who acknowledged the residents’ creativity, commitment, and community spirit throughout the Christmas lights period, and expressed sincere appreciation for their contribution to such a special local tradition. “On behalf of all the customers that come with us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It’s truely special to be a community member here in Mandurah and to have experienced this for so many years.”

Since 2018, the opening night of the Christmas Lights Cruises has held extra special meaning. Each year, the first cruise of the season is dedicated exclusively to families supported by Camp Quality, giving them the opportunity to enjoy a safe, relaxed, and stress-free evening on the water surrounded by festive cheer. Speaking on behalf of the charity, Myrianthe Riddy, Director of Mandurah Cruises, shared a heartfelt message from a letter provided by Camp Quality, highlighting the positive impact the experience has on families and the importance of creating moments of joy and connection during challenging times. “The evening was truely special for the 156 people who joined the cruises. Between the crew and the local residents who decorated their homes so beautifully, every detail came together to create a magical and memorable experience for our families”.

Mayor of Mandurah, Amber Kearns, extended heartfelt thanks to the residents, expressing “I know that the effort and the time that goes into what you guys do for Mandurah is extraordinary… I’m so proud of our community and every single person here that puts in the time and effort and I just want to say thank you” before presenting the Judges Awards and the Stages Awards with attending council members. On 15 December, Mandurah Cruises hosted the official judging event, welcoming representatives from the City of Mandurah, Destination Perth, Visit Mandurah, Peel Development Commission, and other local organisations. Guests were treated to an exclusive cruise, touring every canal in the Port Mandurah precinct throughout the evening. This allowed judges to experience all the festive displays firsthand, carefully selecting the standout houses and deciding on their top five light displays, which would go on to receive the Judges Awards, alongside the other awards presented later.

Judges Awards

1st place – 18 Fistina Ramble
2nd place – 14 Starfire Close
3rd place – 40 Santavea Mews
4th place – 4 Condor Mews
5th place – 28 Eunamara Retreat

Stages Awards

Stage 1 – 2 Weatherley Place
Stage 2 – 28 Eunamara Retreat
Stage 3 – 4 Condor Mews
Stage 4 – 14 Starfire Close
Stage 5 – 18 Fistina Ramble
Stage 6 – 39 Leisure Way

Throughout the season, guests on every cruise were invited to snap a photo of their favourite Christmas lights display and enter it into our Photo Competition. These submissions were then used to determine the top five houses, which would be recognised with the People’s Choice Awards. Anita Kane from Visit Mandurah joined the evening to present these awards, sharing “You really put Mandurah on the map at Christmas. You put the spotlight on us. Nobody does Christmas like Mandurah, and that’s why we say at Visit Mandurah, we are the capital of Christmas lights, and that’s really all down to you”.

People’s Choice Awards

1st place – 14 Starfire Close
2nd place – 18 Fistina Ramble
3rd place – 38 Aztec Island Retreat
4th place – 4 Condor Mews
5th place – 24 Santavea Mews

The evening was then joined by some very special visitors straight from the North Pole, Santa Claus and Elf Mollie! Santa shared his delight, saying, “I saw the lights, I saw everyone going to see them, and they were fantastic! So good on you, and keep it up for next year!” Together, they presented the Grinch Award, the Best Blow-Up Award, the Aussie Spirit Award, the Under the Sea Award, and the Entertainment Award.

Grinch Award

Best Grinch themed house
24 Santavea Mews

Best Blowup award

Best Christmas themed inflatable decorations
40 Santavea Mews

Aussie Spirit Award

Best Aussie themed decorations
8 Leeuwin Place & 41 Brindabella Crescent 

Under the sea award

Best ocean themed house
13 Santavea Mews

entertainment award

Tommy Joyce 
For his nightly dedication to performing as the Grinch

The final and most heartfelt award of the evening honours those who bring the greatest festive spirit to the Christmas season, in memory of local legend Daryl Smith. Many years ago, Daryl and Cheryl Smith were among the first in the Port Mandurah Canals to start decorating with Christmas lights, sparking a tradition that has grown into the spectacular displays seen up and down every canal today. Now known as the Daryl Smith Hall of Fame Award, this accolade ensures that Daryl’s legacy and love for the festive season are remembered and celebrated for years to come.

Daryl Smith Hall of Fame Award

Alan & Lorraine Shakespear

Throughout the festive season, canal visitors are invited to toss coins into the Rotary Floating Wishing Well, helping to raise essential funds for local charities and community initiatives in the Mandurah area. Beyond this, many local businesses, including Mandurah Cruises, support the cause by making larger personal donations, providing collection tins onboard, and offering electronic donation options during cruises or at booking.

Mike Kirke from the Rotary Club of Mandurah Districts expressed his gratitude to the Port Mandurah community and Rotary volunteers for their ongoing efforts in keeping the Wishing Well running. He also announced the total funds raised for the 2025 Christmas lights season to be just over $20,000. Since it began in 2008, the Rotary Wishing Well has been a treasured part of the Christmas lights tradition, raising nearly $350,000 to support local projects. Community groups and charities interested in applying for a grant from the Wishing Well’s funds can do so here.

To wrap up the awards presentations, Renee Hardman, co-founder, judge, and sponsor of the Port Mandurah Christmas Lights competition, delivered a heartfelt thank you to the residents, reflecting on the growth of the event over the years. “I moved into Port Mandurah… and there was probably only one or two or three houses that had lights up. Ron Taggart who lived a couple doors down, competitive spirit he was another. Brian Packer, he was another one. And I started putting lights up about then… The competitive spirit grew and fostered throughout Port Mandurah to all you guys. We had about 50 people by the first time, and it’s grown to this. So thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You’re all fabulous.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the 2025 Christmas lights season so memorable. From the residents and our crew, to local businesses, sponsors, and every one of the wonderful visitors, your energy, generosity, and festive spirit truly light up our city each year. We can’t wait to celebrate another magical season with you all in 2026!