Almost stepping on a six foot python in his garage didn't deter Braiden Mates from putting on his outdoor light show last weekend.

While the show started a little later than expected (because of the snake), the Goonellabah local made sure he brought light into the darkness of Covid lockdown.

Braiden lives alone, has a disability and struggles with anxiety.

So, when he felt the darkness of lockdown walls closing in, he wanted to knock down the walls and bring some colour and warmth into his life – and the lives of others. 

So, he set up all of his outdoor Christmas lights, added in some disco lights and put on a light show outside his home on Sunday and Monday nights. 

The light show wasn’t just for him and his neighbours – he made a video of the lights and streamed it live on his Facebook page.

“It’s a way for me to reach out to the community,” Braiden said. 

“I’m trying to keep positive with doing the light show, cleaning the house and watching Netflix.

“Staying positive, healthy and achieving goals are the things that makes lockdown more enjoyable 

“Hopefully life can go back to normal and we get out of lockdown soon.”

Normally, Braiden is a volunteer photographer who loves going out and taking photos at events, and for Far North Coast Hockey.

“I haven’t been able to get out into nature to take photos because of the 5km stay at home rule,” he said. 

“So, the lights were a way of saying ‘there’s a light at the end of the tunnel’ - then we can all party.”

Braiden said he had responses on his Facebook page from people who loved what he was doing and thanked him. 

“I was overwhelmed that people were responding,” he said. “I love doing things for other people above myself 

The inspiration for the light show came from the light show that the local Theatre Company put on the Rochdale Theatre building during last year’s lockdown. 

Braiden said if anyone is keen to see the light show again, let him know on his Facebook page Braiden Mates Photography, and he will do another live streaming event.