Town parties for 150 year anniversary

Town parties for 150 year anniversary

More than 1000 people turned out to various events over the weekend for Millicent’s 150th celebrations.

Millicent came to party thanks to a range of organisations headed by Wattle Range Council.

The celebrations were originally scheduled for last year but were postponed on account of COVID factors.

The Millicent 150th Celebrations began on Friday when a gathering of 170 attended the official opening of the annual Wattle Range Art Exhibition at the Millicent Gallery.

Artwork covered the walls with the first prize awarded to past winner Diana Wiseman for her oil painting depicting Canunda.

On Saturday the focus of the celebrations switched to The Domain with 700 in attendance.

The Millicent Lions Club hosted the Twilight Market Extravaganza with more than 40 food and general wares stalls.

During the afternoon, Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll launched the 150 Stories of Millicent and an interactive virtual history tour.

Among the authors was Adelaide resident Sandy Facy who wrote about his great-great-grandmother Millicent Glen after whom the town was name in 1870.

Historical photos collected from across the ages were beamed onto an LED screen for all to see near the rotunda.

There was the ceremonial opening at the Millicent Library of the town time capsule from 1995 with assistance from former Kimberly-Clark Australia Tantanoola Pulp Mill employees Craig Robinson and Richard Nobbs.

More than 88 items collected from 25 years ago such as newspaper clippings were put on display.

Community members are now welcome to bring along their own item to the Millicent Library to add to the capsule which will be closed and re-opened again in 25 years’ time.

The Millicent Business Community Association’s annual ‘Millicent Lights up’ and Kids Zone initiatives were part of the 150th anniversary program.

The Jubilee Park cypress pine tree was lit up in lights and there was a visit from Father Christmas.

Youngsters also took part in face painting, a jumping castle, treasure hunts and a big screen movie.

Federal and State MPs Tony Pasin and Nick McBride and Wattle Range Mayor and Mayoress Des and Shari Noll accepted the invitation to come along and judge a BBQ Cook Off.

The local personalities who cooked a Master Chef style mystery box included Millicent football coach Clint Gallio and police officer Constable Carole Grimes.

Manning the microphone to compere the Cook Off was Adelaide media identity and former Millicent High School Student Representative Council president Leith Forrest.

Popular local musical duo JB and Crowey performed together for the last time at the 150 event.

They belted out the pub rock classics from late afternoon until dusk at the Millicent Rotunda.

Council’s inflatable obstacle course was on the Millicent Swimming Lake on Saturday afternoon and the team from YMCA Action Sports was back at the Millicent Skate Park.

Sunday again had skate board contests as well as the annual Amazing Race at The Domain organised by the Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network.

Around 100 participants in teams-of-four participated in the fundraiser for the not-for-profit organisation.

The final official event of the Millicent 150 celebrations was the free entry to the annual Heritage Day at the Millicent National Trust Museum.

Members of the National Trust developed a program featuring blacksmiths, a close up look at the Helen Hughes clothing collection, costumed guides led by Company of Seven life member Jan Armit, horse-and-cart rides and stationary engines from the Mil Lel Society.

These activities drew a crowd of 300.

The National Trust belatedly marked the 50th anniversary of the museum which was held over from 2020 and also launched a commemorative history booklet.

The Millicent Gallery was open over the entire weekend and featured the Wattle Range Art Exhibition and the contents of the time capsule from 1995.

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