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IN PICTURES: From farm life to beaches, how the Great Southern celebrated Christmas this year

Headshot of Eliza Kavanagh
Eliza KavanaghAlbany Advertiser
Ruby, 4, and twins Chloe and Macie, 1, Harris.
Camera IconRuby, 4, and twins Chloe and Macie, 1, Harris. Credit: Dione Nesbitt/Supplied

From whole families in matching PJs to pooches sporting festive hats, the Great Southern celebrated Christmas in style this year.

The festive season was one full of milestones with adorable 11-month-old Lilliana Black and 6-month-old Lydia Jean looking gorgeous for their first Christmas.

Meanwhile, Bev and Mac McCusker celebrated their 65th Christmas with their great-grandsons Chase, 8, and Addison, 11, Robins.

Many enjoyed downtime on the farm with a young Nate Smith, 5, eager to test out his new speedboat in the dam in Napier while the grandkids took over Santa and elf duties over at the Uptons’ property in King River.

Others opted for sand and surf with 17-year-old Jarrod Pearce making a splash at Cheynes Beach and George, 5, and Rob Quayle enjoying the crystal clear waters at Frenchman’s Bay.

Classic Australian Christmas pastimes were not to be missed with readers enjoying a swim in the backyard pool, competitive games of Monopoly, and, of course, the quintessential Australian dessert — the pav.

The stars of the show, however, were clearly the pooches with pup Gerald showing us how Christmas is done with a post-lunch snooze and little Hachi rocking a Santa suit.

Gerald enjoying a snooze after Christmas lunch.
Camera IconGerald enjoying a snooze after Christmas lunch. Credit: Helen Batchelor/Supplied
11-month-old Lilliana Black looking fabulous for her first Christmas.
Camera Icon11-month-old Lilliana Black looking fabulous for her first Christmas. Credit: Shannon Black/Supplied
Sausage in her Christmas hat
Camera IconSausage in her Christmas hat Credit: Leander McQuade/Supplied
Angus, 7, and Willow, 2, Atwell visiting alpacas in Meckering
Camera IconAngus, 7, and Willow, 2, Atwell visiting alpacas in Meckering Credit: Ange Atwell/Supplied
6-month-old Lydia Jean
Camera Icon6-month-old Lydia Jean Credit: Davinka Wilson/Supplied
Is that a furry little Santa or is that Hachi?
Camera IconIs that a furry little Santa or is that Hachi? Credit: Naomi Gilchrist/Supplied
Competitive cousins Amara Smith, 12, Frazer Smith, 15, Dustin Terrell, 8, and Jordan Terrell, 12, take on Monopoly.
Camera IconCompetitive cousins Amara Smith, 12, Frazer Smith, 15, Dustin Terrell, 8, and Jordan Terrell, 12, take on Monopoly. Credit: Tracey Smith/Supplied
Ben, 11, and Brock, 11, Keen enjoying a game of backyard cricket.
Camera IconBen, 11, and Brock, 11, Keen enjoying a game of backyard cricket. Credit: Hannah Keen/Supplied
Family Christmas at Vern and Loretta Upton's property in King River where grandchildren Elijah, Millie, 17, and Tobi Brown took over Santa and elf duties, trading reindeer for a rusty Holden Ute.
Camera IconFamily Christmas at Vern and Loretta Upton's property in King River where grandchildren Elijah, Millie, 17, and Tobi Brown took over Santa and elf duties, trading reindeer for a rusty Holden Ute. Credit: Stacey Brown/Supplied
17-year-old Jarrod Pearce enjoying Christmas Day at Cheynes Beach.
Camera Icon17-year-old Jarrod Pearce enjoying Christmas Day at Cheynes Beach. Credit: Mick Pearce/Supplied/Supplied
Asha, 5, enjoying a prawn with Billy, 1, Yzerman.
Camera IconAsha, 5, enjoying a prawn with Billy, 1, Yzerman. Credit: Natalee Yzerman/Supplied
Nothing quite like your mum's pavlova.
Camera IconNothing quite like your mum's pavlova. Credit: Denver Eiffler/Supplied
Izsabella, 12, and Oskar, 10, Englert
Camera IconIzsabella, 12, and Oskar, 10, Englert Credit: Samanthia Englert/Supplied
Jack Edwards, 3, and Shadow
Camera IconJack Edwards, 3, and Shadow Credit: Christine Edwards/Supplied
Doug with his Christmas cracker hat on.
Camera IconDoug with his Christmas cracker hat on. Credit: Rhia Pitt/Supplied
Bev and Mac McCusker celebrating their 65th Christmas together with great grandsons Chase, 8, and Addison, 11, Robins.
Camera IconBev and Mac McCusker celebrating their 65th Christmas together with great grandsons Chase, 8, and Addison, 11, Robins. Credit: Deralene Rudolewicz/Supplied
Pippa, 7, and Zara, 11, Hancock camping for Christmas in their festive gear.
Camera IconPippa, 7, and Zara, 11, Hancock camping for Christmas in their festive gear. Credit: Katrina Hancock/Supplied
George, 5, and Rob Quayle enjoying the crystal clear waters at Frenchman's Bay.
Camera IconGeorge, 5, and Rob Quayle enjoying the crystal clear waters at Frenchman's Bay. Credit: Rita Quayle/Supplied
Sienna Rose guarding the presents
Camera IconSienna Rose guarding the presents Credit: Deanne Rolland/Supplied
Rey enjoying the sun at the Middleton Beach Dog Beach
Camera IconRey enjoying the sun at the Middleton Beach Dog Beach Credit: Emma Flint/Supplied
10-month-old Presley Colbung looking angelic at her first Christmas.
Camera Icon10-month-old Presley Colbung looking angelic at her first Christmas. Credit: Kayleigh Godbolt/Supplied
Chace Smith, 4, opening presents at grandma's
Camera IconChace Smith, 4, opening presents at grandma's Credit: Emily Parker/Supplied
Kenzia Fisher, 4, drowning in a sea of presents.
Camera IconKenzia Fisher, 4, drowning in a sea of presents. Credit: Kalia Hayley Collins/Supplied
Elizabeth Rowe, middle, and her two daughters Melissa Wolfe and Karlie Lindsay in their Christmas outfits.
Camera IconElizabeth Rowe, middle, and her two daughters Melissa Wolfe and Karlie Lindsay in their Christmas outfits. Credit: Elizabeth Rowe/Supplied
Hallie, 7, and Nate, 5, Smith ready to race Nate's speedboat in the farm dam.
Camera IconHallie, 7, and Nate, 5, Smith ready to race Nate's speedboat in the farm dam. Credit: Anita Rose/Supplied
Tayleen Nisbet, 14, Haiden Perrow, 11, Kerry Nisbet, Daniel Perrow and Zeth Perrow, 12.
Camera IconTayleen Nisbet, 14, Haiden Perrow, 11, Kerry Nisbet, Daniel Perrow and Zeth Perrow, 12. Credit: Kerry Nisbet/Supplied
Ivy, 9, and Layla, 1, Matthews in their matching Christmas PJs.
Camera IconIvy, 9, and Layla, 1, Matthews in their matching Christmas PJs. Credit: Jess Matthews/Supplied
The Jones' Christmas lunch was served from the back of the car at Nanarup this year.
Camera IconThe Jones' Christmas lunch was served from the back of the car at Nanarup this year. Credit: Danielle Jones/Supplied
Maggie enjoying a glorious Christmas morning at Ledge Beach.
Camera IconMaggie enjoying a glorious Christmas morning at Ledge Beach. Credit: Ingrid Storm/Supplied
Damon looking festive in his Christmas collar.
Camera IconDamon looking festive in his Christmas collar. Credit: Geoff Hegarty/Supplied
Chloe Harris, 1, Ruby Harris, 4, Tyler Elsey, 10, Macie Harris, 1, and Lachie Elsey, 8.
Camera IconChloe Harris, 1, Ruby Harris, 4, Tyler Elsey, 10, Macie Harris, 1, and Lachie Elsey, 8. Credit: Dionne Nesbitt/Supplied

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