About 140 people attended a special High Tea at Alexandra Shire Hall for Murrindindi Shire’s citizens aged 90 or older last Thursday, February 22 to celebrate their invaluable contribution over the years to Murrindindi Shire.
Council hosted the event and provided the occasion to launch one of the nonagenarians, Sandy Wallace’s book, “Ten Chapters from a Ten Pound Migrant” and to screen a short film created as part of More Murals’ Project “90 Up: Living Links to the Past” by Anna Baker and Blair MacDonald featuring a number of the High Tea guests.
Those featured in the short film included Kathleen Changer, Paul Debono, Sabatino Gianforte OAM, the late Patricia Miller, Barbara Butler, Libby Webb, Mary Webb, Edna Homan, Wendy Selover, Harold Waite, Jeannie Gribble, Kath Muller, Joanne Strong, Sandy Wallace as well as Darlingford’s Activites Officer Helen Harland and miniature ponies Gem and Silver.
The High Tea also featured performances from ukulele players Bev Dick, Ruth Worland and Liz Patterson, some of the Banjo Patterson poems performed by Tim Sheed and music performed by harpist Christine Middleton.
Shire Mayor Charlie Bisset said the Civic Reception was an opportunity for council to say thank you to the community’s elders.
“The contributions you have made to Murrindindi Shire over the many years you have lived here have helped make our community great.
“Murrindindi Shire Council is a signatory to the Age Friendly Victoria declaration and this outlines Council’s commitment to making sure our community is one of the best places to live for older people,” Bisset said.
Councillors attending the event included Mayor Charlie Bisset, Deputy Mayor Sandice McAulay, Cr Jackie Ashe, Cr Eric Lording, Cr Margaret Rae and Shire CEO Craig Lloyd.
Mr Lloyd said each of the guests aged 90 or over received a special keepsake from the event.
“This is just a small token of our appreciation for your custodianship of our community over the years,” he said. It’s wonderful to hear your stories about how our communities have developed, but also to hear what life was like here when you were growing up.
“I’d encourage everyone in our community to have a look at this wonderful short film on the More Murals website www.moremurals.com.au – it’s jam-packed full of characters – and also check out Sandy’s book – both are fascinating and well worth seeking out,” Lloyd said.
