Scott Morrison has put on one of the best light displays in the region for 14 years. This year it is in a new league.

His home in Gumnut Way, North Nowra will be one of only a handful in Australia and possibly the only display in the Shoalhaven that will have computerised lights operated by a central control panel that also plays music.

“We’ve gone all out this year,” Mr Morrison said.

“We have 10,000 computerised lights hooked up and 30,000 conventional lights.

“And there are still more to be put up.

“But we are already up and running, ready to go for this year,” he said.

With his wife Brenda, each year the couple collects a donation from visitors to their light show. They donate the fund to the hospital.

They recently paid a visit to the Shoalhaven Hospital’s children’s ward to look at the AccuVein machine purchased with help from their fund-raising efforts last year.

The AccuVein is a handheld device that emits a red light beam, enabling medical staff to easily locate a patient’s veins.

Since the device has been designed to be non-contact, no sterilisation between uses is needed and it runs on a rechargeable battery, so it doesn’t need to be plugged in.

Children’s ward nurse unit manager Colleen Foy said the machine allowed staff to easily map out a patient’s veins, especially a young child or baby.

“It is a wonderful machine that will be shared between children’s ward, the maternity section, especially in its special care nursery, and even the emergency department for children who might need to have drips installed.”

She said the device, worth $8000, can be used on newborns through to adults.

Over the years the Morrisons, along with their children Lilli (6) and Charlotte (4) have raised $60,000 for the Shoalhaven children’s ward.

“It’s all about doing our bit for the community,” Mrs Morrison said.

“And if our lights can be the catalyst for raising money for the children’s ward then so be it.”

Over the years the family’s fund-raising efforts have helped purchased numerous pieces of equipment for the ward including a blood gas machine, a twin humidicrib, beds, monitoring equipment and even tinting the ward’s windows.

“People come along, usually as a family and get into the Christmas spirit and make donations and all that goes to the hospital,” Mr Morrison said. 

Last year the family raised $8022 and hopes to better that in 2013.

“Last year was our biggest and best ever year so it would be great to top that,” he said.

And yes, in the weeks leading up to Christmas there will be visits by the big jolly man in the red suit along with plenty of his helpers.

In fact in the whole cul-de-sac of Gumnut Way, seven homes are all in the spirit this year with light displays.

“Everyone knows someone who has or who will use the kids’ ward.

“People have kids or grandkids that could or have used the ward and this is our way of helping out,” Mr Morrison said.

“People really appreciate our display and if the hospital can benefit from it so be it,” Mrs Morrison said.

“We just do the lights for the kids, young and old, to make people happy and enjoy Christmas, and to get into the Christmas spirit.”

The family’s display, like many across the Shoalhaven, is now lit up every night and will be until Christmas.

The South Coast Register is establishing a gallery of local Christmas light displays on its website and would love to get your photos or suggestions of great local light displays.

Email your photos to adam.wright@fairfaxmedia.com.au.