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NICOLE and Darryl Laity are continuing what has become a local tradition by building a Christmas themed hay bale aeroplane at their Romsey Road property in Darraweit Guim.
Since moving to the area 14 years ago the Laitys have been building hay bale sculptures featuring Santa arriving in everything from a 1940s American style taxi to an outhouse.
Ms Laity said it all started as an alternative to the usual Christmas lights display.
"I can’t do all the lights that everyone does so I had to think of something else," she said.
"We wanted something country, we wanted something Australian and we have more than enough hay around."
She said the local community had encouraged the couple to keep up the tradition after fires burnt through more than half their property in February last year.
"We didn't know if we'd do it this year after all of Darraweit went though the bushfires but when we discussed it with everyone they said 'oh no you've got to do it' and we've done it and it’s brought everything back to normal," she said.
We didn't know if we'd do it this year after all of Darraweit went though the bushfires.
- Nicole Laity
"We've had a few involved this year, there's a man down in Darraweit who has a passion for planes so he made the wings and the lady behind us always helps out as well."
The Laitys' seven-year-old daughter, Charli, also lent a hand.
"She helps dress him and put his hat on straight and she loves to get her photo taken with Santa," Ms Laity said.
In Serpentine Prue and Luke Milgate have decorated their hay bale Christmas tree sculpture with solar powered fairy lights left over from the couple's wedding in September last year.
Jenni Hedstrom and family have created Mr and Mrs Claus on their Chanters Lane property in Tylden.
Derby sheep and cattle farmers Rodney and Narelle Broom have created two teddy bears and a Christmas tree on the Calder Highway near Collins Road.
All entries will go to a public vote on the Bendigo Advertiser website from January 21 to decide a winner.
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.
The $4500 prize is sponsored by Grogan's Machinery and Bendigo Travel and Cruise Centre.
Property owners with land in the Bendigo Advertiser readership area are eligible.
Sculptures must be built close to a public road using at least one large or five small bales.
