Manjimup welder helps fix local Christmas tree as it makes a comeback next month

Manjimup will be able to celebrate the return of its beloved Christmas tree this year, with the Chamber of Commerce planning to have it on display in December, thanks to the repair work of local welder Anthony Drake. The large display tree had been out of order for a few years, due to damage done to the metal structure that required maintenance. Mr Drake said he was approached by Shire president Donelle Buegge and the Chamber of Commerce to mend the tree and bring it back to working condition, which he was more than willing to take on. “Basically, it’s not often I say no to a job,” he said. “I like being involved in the community-based kind of stuff, for the town and it’s good to have a Christmas tree around, because we didn’t last year.” At first, he was unsure on how to fix the tree, but after splitting the tree into three sections and anchoring it to the floor of the welding studio, he was able to straighten out the kinks that were in the tree. “It was pretty damaged and I had a few ideas of how we’re going to fix it,” Mr Drake said. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to work and some people were saying to rebuild the tree from scratch, but we were able to anchor it to the concrete floor and straighten it up. “Because they dropped it, it was leaning to one side, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a bit dented up at the bottom. “It’s three parts, so we separated it into three different parts and just started on one, and we welded it into the ground and used chains to pull it back into shape.” It took approximately 12-14 hours of work between him and fellow welder Kane Freeman to get the tree into shape, but they were confident that their work meant the tree would be set for a couple of years. “It worked out, it took a bit longer than I thought it would, but it’ll last a few more years,” he said. “It’s hard to tell what it looked like before.” Chamber of Commerce president Kim Starkie said she was excited to see the revitalised tree make an appearance in Manjimup again. “I’m really excited to see the tree coming back this year,” she said. “My kids have grown up with the Friday night Christmas lighting and I think a lot of kids will be excited to see it too. “We’re happy to have it back to be celebrating the Christmas spirit, going out, shopping, eating locally and bumping into people you know to enjoy the night. She thanked Mr Drake for fixing the tree, noting he “saved Christmas” for the town in doing so. “He really did save Christmas for Manjimup with fixing up the tree,” she said. “He’s fixed the tree not for financial benefit, but to bring it back to the community, which I am thankful for.”