By Xavier Smerdon
WERRIBEE’S favourite sons have been reunited.
Twins Ken and Harry Hayes, who turned 90 last month, celebrated their birthday by returning to the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee, where they lived for the first 34 years of their lives.
Melbourne Water’s Heritage Services co-ordinator Paul Balassone organised a lunch and tour of the historic sight for the brothers to celebrate their milestone birthday.
Mr Balassone said it was important for the workers at the plant to meet the brothers.
“We really wanted to acknowledge our past and our connection to the community,” he said.
“But it was also about making the present generation of workers aware of our history.”
The brother’s father, William Hayes, worked at the plant as a waterman, along with Ken and Harry’s three older brothers.
When Ken and Harry wanted to get a job at the plant, it was decided that too many Hayes were working there – so the brothers went off and became carpenters together.
After World War 11, Harry moved to Sydney, while Ken stayed in Werribee.
Ken was later a founding member of the Werribee High School and the Olympic swimming pool. He said he “couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“I love Werribee,” he said.
“People say to me, ‘Oh, you live in Werribee’, and I say ‘There’s nowhere else for me.”’
Harry said he still loves to come back to Werribee.
“This is sort of home base,” he said.
“I still find it too cold though.”
But Harry said the best part of his return to Werribee was being able to see his twin again.
“We get along quite well,” Harry said.
“We can still live together without punching each other.”
