Having missed a public appearance in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, in what would have been their 25th year hovering above the Coonamble Main Street, the floating Jesus Christ figures once again captured the attention of locals and visitors alike over the Easter long weekend.

Embedded in tradition

The annual raising of the figure of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as Coonamble's ultimate magic act, was the brainchild of local man Ellis Ryan in 1998 (now deceased), who believed the town could use a reminder of the true story behind Easter and what it represents.

According to Mr Ryan's wife, Bev, the idea was immediately embraced by the town and became a way for the local community to commemorate the season.

"I think it just symbolises the true meaning of Easter. That's what Ellis' idea was anyway, to bring the meaning of Easter back to the community and not just focus on the Easter Bunny," said Mrs Ryan.

"It faced a few stops and starts over the years, but it's turned into a symbol for the season."

After gaining support from Council at their February 1998 meeting the figures were suspended above Castlereagh Street for the first time between the Sons of the Soil Hotel and what was then the Payless Supermarket building (in the Eason Centre).

Mr Ryan's proposal gained the support of the town’s Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches, as well as the Christian Men’s Breakfast Association and the Rotary, Lions and Quota Clubs, whose volunteers continue to uphold the tradition to this day.

"The Shire comes along to take it down and Essential Energy helps in putting it up, so there have been a few people involved in it," said Bev.

"It becomes personal. Ellis used to get on to people to help out, and since he passed Wayne Phillips has kind of taken over so we always make sure he is here."

The now 25 year old tradition (24 if you're being accurate), is one that continues to be honoured by dedicated community members each Easter, much to the delight of local onlookers.

ABOVE: Coonamble’s Crucified Christ just moments before his resurrection.

Behind the scenes

So what goes into upholding this tradition?

Local volunteer Wayne Phillips, who has been one of the men behind the curtain for over 20 years now, divulged a few insider secrets of this annual magic act saying, "I don’t often go rushing to church, so I guess it gives me some satisfaction to be able to do it." 

"Beverly's husband Ellis and Tony Finlay were both Lions club members and good friends of mine and they wanted a hand, Ellis was getting on at that point, so it started as just helping out and then became every year."

The figures, which are stored in Mrs Ryan's carport for the majority of the year, are loaded up on the back of a ute by volunteers each Easter Saturday evening while mass is on.

"We meet at Bev's place and load up the second figure on the back of the ute and drive it to the main street," said Wayne.

"Then it's just a matter of lowering and unclipping the other fella, clipping the new one up and pulling him up."

While it sounds simple in theory, Mr Phillips admits that the tried and true process has had it's fair share of kinks to work through over the years.

"The coppers followed me to the SOTS once, six or seven years ago, they jumped out and raced over to me, they thought I had a body in the back of the vehicle," said Wayne.

"I'll never forget that copper's face."

This year Wayne was joined by regular helpers, Tony Wiatkowski and Adam Cohen, as well as newcomer Tony Mooy and of course Beverly Ryan, accompanied by her guests from America, who got quite a kick out of seeing the changing of the figures.

Keeping up appearances

The figures themselves have been through a few changes over the years, the most recent being a complete restoration project which began back in 2019, with the restored figures making their debut in 2021.

Having spent over 20 years being regularly strung up above the hustle and bustle of Coonamble's main street, the original papier mache figures were in need of a little TLC.

Thanks to Ms Ana Robson and her former Coonamble High School year 9 and 10 art class, we are now lucky enough to have not one but two handcrafted figures that are very similar in appearance to Mr Ryan's originals, allowing the community to maintain this quirky tradition for what current volunteers hope to be many years to come.

"It's a talking point for the town," said Mrs Ryan.

"It generates a lot of interest, a lot of travellers and even locals are amazed by it. 

“They keep saying that they've never seen it anywhere else."

ABOVE: Local volunteers worked together to gently change out the hanging figures on Saturday night.

The figures' future

Though some may see it as a silly tradition, Coonamble’s rising Christs over the Easter long weekend have become a reliable symbol in town of hope, renewal and new life.

"To me, it creates some interest," said Wayne.

"Strangers will pull up to take photos, and to them it's a novelty I guess, but to us it's part of Coonamble every Easter."

"We've got our negative people of course, I know that, but I enjoy it and for however long I can keep doing it, I will."

Regardless of its religious origin, the raising and changing of the life-sized figures acts as a reminder of the Christian story behind Easter and what it represents as a whole.

Whether you find the figures odd or inspirational, there is no denying they have become a unique staple of Easter in Coonamble and will hopefully remain a local tradition for years to come.