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Perth ‘Mad Bogan’ Wes Boyd creates huge Christmas tree from Emu Export beer cans

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Natalie RichardsThe West Australian
VideoIs there a more Aussie Christmas tree than this?

Is there a more Aussie Christmas tree than this?

It’s not even summer yet but Perth grandad Wes Boyd has set the bar high for Sandgropers this Christmas, creating an entire tree out of one of the nation’s most iconic beer cans.

Mr Boyd, who goes by the nickname Mad Bogan (he even has the rego plates to prove it) created the six-metre masterpiece out of Emu Export cans to stand proudly outside his home in Beechboro.

Holidays are coming! Wes’ Coca Cola tree in 2019.
Camera IconHolidays are coming! Wes’ Coca Cola tree in 2019. Credit: Wes Boyd

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The enormous red, yellow and silver showpiece includes about 1500 empty cans of Bush Chook. And the best bit? He doesn’t touch a drop of the stuff himself!

The tree started life as Coca Cola tree last year — complete with gifts, tinsel and red and green bottles.

But, determined to go one better for 2020, Mr Boyd tasked his mates with sinking enough beers to give the tree a fresh look for 2020.

2020’s Emu Export tree.
Camera Icon2020’s Emu Export tree. Credit: Wes Boyd

It took six friends to lift the initial tree into place but this year’s tree is so big, Mr Boyd needed a cherry picker to finish it off. The whole thing took a week to finish and stands an impressive 2.2 metres wide, taking up a big chunk of his driveway and towering over his one-storey home.

Dad-of-five Mr Boyd is deaf, along with his wife and children and lost his mother to Alzheimer’s Disease. He wants to use his unique garden ornament to raise at least $1000 for Alzheimer’s WA and help other sufferers.

Mr Boyd first created headlines for a stunning VB Christmas tree, built in 2016. The 4.4 metre tree was made from 2536 cans and even featured a Ned Kelly angel on top.

“I wanted to build it to make people happy,” Mr Boyd told PerthNow at the time.

Aussie icon: Wes’ VB tree in 2016.
Camera IconAussie icon: Wes’ VB tree in 2016. Credit: Wes Boyd

“Me and some mates love drinking VBs and two to three mates have been bringing empty cans over here every week for the past 14 months.”

The Emu Export tree will be illuminated at his home on Bailey Place from December 1 and tins will be left out for people to donate.

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