By VANESSA VALENZUELA
PETER Halilovic is lighting up December nights this holiday season with one of the biggest and brightest Christmas light displays in Melbourne’s west.
Each year thousands of people flock to the glowing double-story house in Billungah Place, Burnside to admire the musical Christmas display which features more than 150,000 flashing lights.
Peter started working on the dazzling display four years ago after suffering from severe head injuries he sustained during a terrible workplace accident in 2008.
“I was in such trauma. It was near fatal. I had a major hole in my temple,” Peter said.
“I was suffering depression, anxiety, panic attacks and vertigo. I couldn’t go very far or drive a car. I lost everything, I was like a vegetable. I couldn’t do anything.”
His fiancée Margaret said it was heartbreaking to watch Peter struggle with daily activities and that the accident had changed their lives forever.
“He was really depressed because he didn’t know what he was going to do for the rest of his life,” she said.
“But when something like this happens to you or your partner, you step back a bit and realise that life is too short.”
During his time at home, Peter stumbled across a website that showed stunning Christmas light displays created overseas, inspiring him to set up his own display in Melbourne.
Margaret had encouraged Peter to try out his new-found hobby and the couple first switched on their bright lights in 2009.
“It’s become a tradition now. We always see new people visit, and we’ve had people come from Western Australia, Queensland, some from Russia and even Germany. We’re a hit in Tasmania,’ Peter said.
Margaret said she was proud of Peter for overcoming his challenges and loves bringing joy to hundreds of young children who are captivated by the grand display each year.
“The kids have never seen anything like it. It’s just amazing and really spectacular. They love the show, and they dance. They don’t know where to look,” she said.
Residents are invited to watch the magical light show in Billungah Place which starts at 8.30pm every night in December.
