About Australian Nativity Scene (ANS)

Bringing the True Meaning of Christmas to Life

The Australian Nativity Scene (ANS) is an annual traditional Christmas display created and artistically developed by Wilson Fernandez at St Elizabeth's Parish, Dandenong North, Victoria, within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Established in 2003, ANS brings the biblical story of Christmas to life through an elaborate recreation of Bethlehem and its surrounding landscape during the time of Jesus Christ.

More than a conventional Nativity display, ANS is an evolving visual presentation that captures the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the spirit, wonder and true meaning of Christmas.

The display welcomes visitors from all backgrounds, providing an experience of artistic craftsmanship, biblical storytelling, faith and reflection.

The Creator and Artist – Wilson Fernandez

Wilson Fernandez is the founder, creator and artist behind the Australian Nativity Scene.

Since 2003, he has personally designed, constructed and maintained the annual display, continually introducing new artistic elements, landscapes and features to enhance the presentation. His passion for traditional Nativity scenes, combined with creativity and attention to detail, has transformed a personal artistic undertaking into a recognised annual Christmas tradition.

Planning and preparation generally begin several months before Christmas, with considerable time devoted to the design, construction and arrangement of the display.

The Christmas Story – An Evolving Biblical Journey

One of the distinctive features of ANS is its progressive transformation throughout the Christmas season.

Unlike a conventional static Nativity display, ANS illustrates the Christmas story through a series of changing biblical scenes, including:

Life in Bethlehem – Everyday activities of villagers, farmers, traders, travellers and their livestock.
The Journey to Bethlehem – Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem.
No Room at the Inn – Their search for accommodation leads them to a humble stable.
The Birth of Jesus – The Nativity, the angelic announcement and the arrival of the shepherds.
The Visit of the Wise Men – The Magi arrive to honour the newborn King.
The Flight into Egypt – The Holy Family flees to Egypt to escape King Herod's order.

The scenes are progressively introduced and adapted during the display period, rather than following a fixed weekly schedule.

The annual presentation generally commences after the first week of Advent and concludes approximately one week after the Feast of the Epiphany, with the actual dates and duration varying each year.

Visitors returning during the season may experience different stages of the Christmas story as it unfolds.

Artistic Creation and Traditional Craftsmanship

Wilson combines traditional craftsmanship, creative design and natural materials to recreate the environment of Bethlehem during the time of Christ.

Materials such as soil, clay, straw, bark, plants, stones and timber are incorporated into the construction of landscapes, buildings and village settings.

The display features handmade houses, stables, huts, marketplaces, bridges, mountains, rivers and other structures, carefully arranged with figurines and animals to portray the biblical narrative.

Each year, the display undergoes artistic enhancements, reflecting Wilson's commitment to preserving the traditional character and authenticity of the Nativity Scene.

A Labour of Love – Voluntary Commitment

The Australian Nativity Scene is a voluntary undertaking driven by Wilson's faith, artistic passion and commitment to sharing the true meaning of Christmas.

He devotes more than 250 hours annually to designing, constructing, maintaining and dismantling the display.

The entire artistic creation and overall management of ANS are personally undertaken by Wilson, with occasional logistical and housekeeping assistance from parishioners and volunteers.

Funding and Community Support

ANS is a non-funded, voluntary initiative sustained through personal commitment and generous donations and sponsorships from visitors, parishioners and well-wishers.

Contributions help meet the costs of materials, figurines, construction and ongoing improvements.

Any surplus remaining after expenses is donated to charitable or parish purposes. Community generosity continues to play an important role in sustaining this annual tradition.

Discover the History of ANS

The Australian Nativity Scene began in 2003 through the encouragement of the late Rev. Fr Tadeusz Ziolkowski SChr, then Parish Priest of St Elizabeth's Parish.

His vision and encouragement helped establish the foundation for this continuing tradition, which is now supported by Rev. Fr Simeon Anthony, Parish Priest since August 2026.

To discover how ANS began, its development over the years and its significant milestones, visit our ANS History page.