The following is an edited version of the speech given by City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Mary Lalios on the occassion of the 10th anniversary of the Whittlesea Heritage Program, 17 July 2009
Good evening everyone and welcome to the Great Hall for the start of our tenth anniversary heritage celebrations –a genuine milestone.
Over the next six months we will enjoy 33 different heritage events, our largest program ever and possibly the largest in Australia.
It’s a program that reflects the diversity of our City and our residents. It includes indigenous history and the City’s community life since the earliest days of settlement.
It’s a big year for heritage in more ways than one and I will start by saying that one of the most recent events that has happened in our backyard, the Black Saturday bushfires, which occurred on the 7th of February will be part of our heritage for ever. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who lost so much on that day and hope that nothing like that is ever seen on this earth again.
The events that unfolded on that day are now part of our history and those of us privileged to hear the stories must share them. SO important is the sharing of those stories that the Mill Park Library is hosting a session for those wanting to share their experiences, to be able to do so. This is taking place next week, and starting on the 20th of July 2009.
Going from one very recent event to one that started 150 years ago, is very contrasting and that is what our Heritage program is all about – contrasts and diversity. This year sees the Agricultural Society celebrate their 150th anniversary. I congratulate the Agricultural Society on their 150th anniversary.
From the earliest days of settlement, the City of Whittlesea has been and in many ways still is the food bowl of Melbourne.
From the Chinese market gardens and orchards came the fruit and vegetables for settlers including those heading off to the goldfields.
From the farms came the produce that sustained people during the depression and war years.
We still enjoy pockets of rural and pastoral life in our municipality and we are proud that so many food industry companies are based in our City, building on this tradition.
There are two other anniversaries that I will also mention tonight because they too represent important aspects of our heritage.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Farm Vigano.
And the San Donato Festival is celebrating its 33rd anniversary this year, representing another important part of community life, namely the support that churches and religion have provided to residents of our City since its earliest days.
There are so many stories of people who lived hard-working, honourable lives, believed in community and had a sense of place.
But of course we recognise that our heritage pre-dates European settlement.
We honour and embrace the ancient and traditional people of our region, their ways of life, their love of the environment and landscape and their vital contribution to our heritage since the dreamtime.
The City of Whittlesea is home to one of the highest indigenous populations in metropolitan Melbourne today.
And we remember and respect that this region was part of the hunting and fishing grounds of the Wurundjeri wilam people, an important place for ceremonies and trade.
So it is fitting that our heritage celebrations start on the back of NAIDOC week, which this year was on the theme of ‘honouring our elders and nurturing our youth’.
I suggest that this is also an excellent theme to carry forward through our heritage celebrations.
By remembering and promoting our heritage, in all its forms, we honour the memory of all who came before us.
We are also keen to encourage our young people and their interest in their heritage along with our many new residents who have joined us from all parts of the world.
We hope they are inspired by what they learn about the past history of our region and its contribution to the State and nation-building of modern Australia.
Because the City of Whittlesea can be held up as a model to all Australia.
We have welcomed thousands of people from countries across the world and this trend continues today.
They are today’s pioneers who are creating new strands of our future heritage.
And by celebrating our past we are reminded how people can work together, care and learn from one another, and help create an exciting future for everyone in our community.
== Heritage Committee ==
I thank the Heritage Committee for their enthusiastic contributions to the development of the Heritage Program and for giving their time so generously.
The committee includes:
•members of the Whittlesea Historical Society,
•Parks Victoria,
•Friends of Westgarthtown,
•Yarra Plenty Regional Library,
•the Whittlesea Chinese Association,
•Plenty Valley Arts,
•the Italian Committee of Saint Damians,
•the San Donato Association, and
•Niruththra Fine Arts.
Congratulations to all of you. I hope all of you will be involved in the program in its entirety.
And please, bring friends, relations and anyone else who may be interested to share in the celebration of the rich heritage of the City of Whittlesea.
Thank you for coming and helping to celebrate our 10th anniversary of the Cultural Heritage program.
END
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See City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program for this year’s program.
