One of the most poignant moments in the mayoralty of Wattle Range Council’s Des Noll is about to occur.

He will open a sealed envelope and read a letter which was

penned around 27 years ago by one of his predecessors.

The last Mayor of Millicent Jim Van Schaik (now deceased) wrote the letter addressed to the future Mayor and placed it in a time capsule in 1995 when Millicent was marking its 125th anniversary.

Millicent businesses and organisations also added reports, photographs and mementoes to the time capsule which was made at the then Kimberly-Clark Australia Tantanoola Pulp Mill.

The time capsule has been housed ever since in the Millicent Public Library.

It was re-opened last year as part of the belated Millicent 150th anniversary celebrations.

Millicent National Trust vice-chairman and South East Family History Group President Noel Boyle said finding the sealed Van Schaik mayoral letter was a special moment.

“At 10.30am on May 3, the envelope will be opened at the Millicent Public Library by Des Noll with Jim’s widow Mary Van Shaik in attendance,” Mr Boyle said.

“On the day the time capsule was opened in 2021, Mary was pleased to see the envelope in her late husband’s hand writing.

“This is a timely reminder the last entries from the public for the time capsule will be on Friday May 13.

“It will then be sealed up for another 25 years.”

Mr Van Schaik was the last Mayor as the Millicent, Beachport and Penola councils voluntarily merged in 1997 to form Wattle Range Council.