SUSAN Jennison is looking forward to the many events which will be staged to celebrate the 150th anniversary of local government in Keilor.
As the Keilor Historical Society president, Ms Jennison and the group’s members have been busy working with Brimbank City Council, the Rotary Club of Keilor and businesses to organise several events for the area’s anniversary.
“I just love hearing little stories about personalities from the area and people who came to Keilor,” Ms Jennison said.
“It’s often a huge learning curve for people coming into the area, they don’t realise how ancient it is.”
Keilor’s original council, known as a District Roads Board, consisted of nine members.
A meeting held at the Waggoner’s Arms Hotel in 1863 led to the area being proclaimed as a roads district in 1863.
During the 1800s, the discovery of gold in Bendigo led to many prospective miners travelling through Keilor on their way to the goldfields.
Ms Jennison said she was especially looking forward to an exhibition of Keilor’s 150 years of history at Harrick’s Cottage, in Harrick Rd, Keilor Park on Saturday 2 March between midday and 4pm.
The Rotary Club of Keilor will have a 1925 Douglas motorbike, 1957 Chevrolet, 1965 Ford Mustang, 1966 Ford pick-up truck and a 1967 Ford Falcon on display at the cottage.
Sponsor Ferguson Plarre will provide afternoon tea at the exhibition.
Another show, ‘Back to Keilor: An Historical Exhibition’ will be on 2 and 3 March between midday and 4pm at the Old Shire Hall, 777 Old Calder Highway in Keilor.
An additional exciting anniversary event will be dinner at the Overnewton Castle, 51 Overnewton Rd, Keilor on 3 March at 7pm.
A special guest at the meal will be Joan McKenzie, the grand-daughter of William Taylor, who was the Keilor District Roads Board’s first chairman.
For information visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.au
