It was a bitter/sweet moment on Saturday for Millicent resident Max Blacketer when he returned to his home town of Beachport for the auction of St Matthews By The Sea Uniting Church.


He had been present almost 60 years ago when he saw his maternal grandfather Isaac Carthew lay the foundation stone of the Foster Street church on November 13, 1966.


At the time, Mr Blacketer was the secretary of the Beachport Church Council.


“I still have the church records from that time,” Mr Blacketer said.


“The foundation stone has been removed to the Beachport National Trust Museum.”


Due to dwindling congregations, the church was de-consecrated in 2024 but ill-health prevented Mr Blacketer from attending its final service.


Despite spending much of his life living and working in Millicent, his interest in the Beachport church has never wavered.


That commitment to his community has continued throughout his life with Mr Blacketer recognised by the then Millicent District Council in 1985 as its Australia Day Citizen of the Year.


Among the organisations where he has held leadership positions have been the Millicent/Beachport Uniting Church Council, Boneham Aged Care Services, Rotary, Millicent Masonic Lodge and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Support Group.


Among the other past worshippers in attendance was Faye Childs, of Glencoe.


She was among the lay preachers who had conducted services in St Matthews by the Sea.


The church was sold at auction to a neighbour for $546,000 and this was above the reserve price.