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THAT the good folk of Eaglehawk are proud of their identity is evident in their willingness to celebrate historical occasions.
Centenaries and festivals abound and next week will be no exception when the Eaglehawk community comes together to celebrate 150 years of local government services.
Originally part of the Marong District Roads Board, the municipality of Eaglehawk was created on July 29, 1862.
The community celebration will be hosted at the Eaglehawk Town Hall from 10am to 12.30pm on Sunday,
July 29. There will be a special unveiling of a 150th plaque.
Prominent at the event will be two of Eaglehawk’s much respected and loved citizens, Jack Taylor, OAM, 91, and Pierce Grenfell, 88. Five times mayor of Eaglehawk, Mr Taylor has served the Borough faithfully throughout his life.
It was Mr Taylor in 1966 who was presented with the first mayoral chain to be used as part of the office.
The mayoral chain was organised at the behest of Vic Hocking of the Eaglehawk/Melbourne Society.
The mayoral chain and robes will be on display in the council chambers as part of the celebrations on Sunday. The photograph Mr Taylor and Mr Grenfell are holding features nine former mayors, including Mr Grenfell, who was mayor during the 1962 Eaglehawk centenary celebrations.
A special part of the celebrations on Sunday will be the launch of a book compiled by the Eaglehawk Heritage Society.
Rates, Roads and Rubbish reflects 150 years of local government in Eaglehawk. Aylene Kirkwood, from the Eaglehawk Heritage Society, said the book featured every Eaglehawk mayor, describing who was in council at the time and what occurred under their watch.
Several shop windows in Eaglehawk are also featuring displays of various mayors and their achievements.
The celebrations on July 29 will be attended by the current mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo Alec Sander.
There will be a recital from the bush poet Geoffrey Graham and of course, the event wouldn’t be complete without the stirring accompaniment of the Eaglehawk Brass Band.
Bev Hanson, the president of the Eaglehawk Heritage Society, said all visitors would be welcome.
As light refreshments will be served an RSVP on 5435 3689 would be appreciated.