Upper Yarra
Mail Covering the Upper pper Yarra Regi Region g on o off th the he Ya Y Yarra rra Ranges Shire
YEAR IN REVIEW What made news in 2014 PAGES 4-9
Tuesday, 13 January, Tuesday January 2015
A Mail Newspaper Group publication
Phone: 5957 3700 700 T Trades d and d Cl Classifieds: C 1300 666 808
St Brigid’s Primary School students marching in the Healesville 150th Street Parade carrying a banner that says it all – Healesville is a mighty town! 130493 Picture: JESSE GRAHAM
The only choice Upper Yarra
Mail 2014
ISSUE OF THE YEAR committee, Kath Holton, said the celebrations successfully brought the community together as one. “I think we achieved that with bells on,” she said. Former Yarra Ranges Mayor Fiona McAllister echoed the accolades, saying the birthday was an incredible achievement for the town.
“The 150th is a great opportunity for the community to come together, and literally hundreds have been involved in planning the activities.” The rich and colourful history of the area was celebrated at the Heritage Festival, where future generations could gain an understanding of days gone by. The Heritage Festival hosted
steam engines, historic displays from a number of community groups, a wood-chopping competition and live music performed through Saturday and Sunday. Another highlight were the 15 steam engines that took to the road in a special parade from Yarra Glen to Healesville. Heritage Chairman Brett Whelan said the parade broke an Australian record for the most road steam engines travelling between two towns. The last stationmaster of the Healesville railway station, Nick Roe, was also on hand
during the celebrations to tell stories of his time in the town, before the Healesville railway walk was officially opened. A banner carried by primary school students in the parade perfectly summed up the sentiments of the day and the community feeling – “Healesville is a mighty town!” The Mail printed a 150th anniversary souvenir edition in October as well as the ‘150 Faces of Healesville’ edition in July, which collected an assortment of people’s anecdotes and favourite things about the town.
YARRA RANGES
Approved Dealer for
1161933-CB45-14
LILYDALE 9735 0188 32 Main Street
FERNTREE GULLY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Hwy
(over railway line Melb. side)
(towards Belgrave)
SPECIALISTS IN • Split Systems • Ducted Heating and Cooling •Gas Appliance Sales and Installation
Ph: 5966 9999
SALE NOW ON!!! SAVE$$$ DEAL DIRECT WITH THE MANUFACTURER
CUSTOM MADE PVC BLINDS, SUNSCREEN, AWNINGS, UMBRELLAS & OUTDOOR HEATING
CALL NOW
1147100-MB31-14
GAS HEAT & COOL 1036219-SH24-12
THE 150th anniversary of Healesville has been named the Mail’s issue of 2014, after a successful year of celebrations. Over 12 months of preparations finally came to fruition last November when the entirety of Healesville gathered to commemorate the milestone. More than 800 locals from a variety of community groups marched down Maroondah Highway to open the festivities on Saturday 8 November, welcomed by a crowd of thousands. The parade was led by Wurund-
jeri and other Aboriginal tribe members, with a hand-made Bunjil the Eagle as the parade’s figurehead. Wurundjeri Elder Alan Wandin said he was honoured to have such a significant involvement in the parade. “That we were asked to lead the parade is recognition and acknowledgement of who you are,” he said. There were a variety of other celebrations on the day including a Party in the Park and the Healesville Heritage Festival. Community 3777 Chair and member of the organising
201557-SS40-5 1086543-JL33-13
By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
1300 880 228
www.outdoorblinds.com.au
Thinking of selling?...call Bell’s Warburton 59662530 - Yarra Junction 59671277 - Woori Yallock 59615277
1110340-PB50-13