A GELORUP couple who have been selling Christmas trees for over 20 years will soon pass on their legacy as the region's only Christmas Tree supplier.
Peter and Shirley Crouch, who purchased their five-acre property in 1994, began growing and selling Christmas trees in 1997 after they noticed a gap in the market and residents showed an increased interest in purchasing live Christmas trees.
Having purchased property in South Bunbury this year, 2021 marks the Crouch's last Christmas supplying Christmas trees to the South West.
Come the 2022 Christmas period, the Crouch's neighbour, Steve Murray, will continue selling the trees on his property located adjacent to the Crouch's old property.
Over the 24 years Mr and Mrs Crouch have planted and sold thousands of trees, but said they would miss the customers the most.
"We've had some really interesting times, from tear jerkers to great memories," Mr Crouch said.
"After all this time, people still send us photos of their trees, with one lady recently showing us photos she had taken of myself and her kids with their tree every year for 12 years.
"The kids reactions is definitely what I love the most. I love upsetting mum who's in a hurry, saying to her kids, pick a tree and lets go.
"So Crouchy says to the kids, who's going to cut it down? Lets go! Whilst mum is going c'mon, cut the thing down so we can go!"
We are so grateful for the Christmas spirit the community has given us, and we'll miss it, but we're not looking back.
- Peter Crouch
Mr Crouch also reminisced on a time when a man paid him for his tree and told Mr Crouch to keep the change.
Mr Crouch said he gave the change to the man's children, telling them to use it to buy an ice-cream.
"I'll always remember the man's face when he said to me, thanks Crouchy, guess where we have to go now," Mr Crouch laughed.
As Peter and Shirley Crouch approach their final days of selling Christmas trees, they offered the following words of thanks to the community.
"Thank you, we are so grateful for the Christmas spirit the community has given us," Mr Crouch said.
"It's been fabulous. You wouldn't think dealing with the public would be rewarding.
"We'll really miss it, but we're not looking back. You just can't."
The 77-year-olds will dedicate time to enjoying gentle gym and coffee with friends, while Mr Crouch will continue making wrought iron steel work, which includes creating Christmas tree stands.
There are still a handful of small Christmas trees available at Gelorup Christmas Trees, located on Jilley Road.
For tree enquiries, contact 9795 7642.
Pip Waller
After working in film and television production in Perth, I returned to my hometown of Bunbury to further my skill set as a journalist. I am passionate about the empowerment of women and giving a voice to the unheard members of our community. You can contact me at pip.waller@austcommunitymedia.com.au
After working in film and television production in Perth, I returned to my hometown of Bunbury to further my skill set as a journalist. I am passionate about the empowerment of women and giving a voice to the unheard members of our community. You can contact me at pip.waller@austcommunitymedia.com.au
