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MR AND Mrs Claus have been rolled out as the first entries in the Bendigo Advertiser Hay Bale Sculpture Competition.
Jenni Hedstrom and family have created Santa Claus and Mrs Claus sculptures from large hay bales at their Chanters Lane property in Tylden.
Ms Hedstrom's husband Adrian Thompson said the sculptures were a family effort with children Lachlan, 9, Emma, 7, and James, 6, all pitching in.
He said the children 'ended up getting more paint on themselves than on the hay bales'.
Mr Thompson said his family spruced the farm up each Christmas but took it a bit further with a bit more effort and lot more paint this year.
"We've had a lot of people stopping by taking photos, a lot of kids coming by," he said.
Mr and Mrs Claus are the first sculptures entered into the competition which is open for entries until January 19.
The entry gaining the most votes through the Bendigo Advertiser website will win return airfares for two adults and five nights at the Sun Island Legian Hotel and Spa in a Legian Suite room, and five nights at the Santi Mandala Villas and Spa in a Plunge Pool Villa.
The $4500 prize is sponsored by Grogan's Machinery, Krone and Bendigo Travel and Cruise Centre.
Mr Thompson said he and his wife would be thrilled to win.
"It's quite funny, we’re looking after friends' animals at the moment. They’re city slickers actually, and they’ve moved to Bali for a year," he said.
Sculptures must be built on an entrant’s property close to a public road using at least one large or five small bales.
All property owners with land in the Bendigo Advertiser readership area are eligible.
Entrants will receive a poster to put on the fence in front of the sculpture for public voting, which starts on January 21.
Entrants are reminded to use safe work practices in building any hay sculptures.