Little house of horrors returns

By Owen Sinclair

Oct 31, 2024

It’s the freakiest month of the year, and a Cobram local has once again pulled out all the stops.

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For many Cobram and Barooga locals, the sight of ghoulish figures and spooky spectres on the front lawn of Debbie Johns’ home might be a familiar sight.

It might be a health service for only the most desperate in town, but the witch doctor’s shack is a permanent fixture on Debbie's front lawn. Photo by Owen Sinclair

For several years now, Debbie has provided a frightful variety of attractions for Halloween celebrants.

There is one primary reason for Debbie spending her time and resources on the spooky decorations, she explained.

“It’s to see the kids happy,” she said.

Debbie Johns with her prized rider and horse. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Debbie said each year the theme for the decorations changed. This year, she has taken a leaf out of the book of southern gothic and created an exhibition of cowboys, Indians and Mexicans.

She has also gone one step further and constructed a haunted maze in the garage attached to her home.

After last year’s Halloween trick-or-treat, during which all of Debbie’s 720 homemade lolly bags were given away, Debbie said there would be at least 850 bags available this year.

Readers will find Debbie’s freaky exhibitions at 45 Campbell Rd, Cobram.