By Brendan Rees
Residents took a trip down memory lane during the 150th birthday celebrations in Cranbourne last weekend.
There were lots of memories shared as former shire members, current City of Casey councillors, community groups and residents gathered at Greg Clydesdale Square on Saturday, 24 February.
The event, which celebrated the 150th anniversary since the Shire of Cranbourne was proclaimed in 1868, included a historical photo display, performances, free activities, and a sausage sizzle.
One of the attendees was Cranbourne resident, Peter Giles, who was a former councillor of nine years and the last Cranbourne Shire president before the amalgamation with Cardinia in 1994.
“To serve at the time was a real privilege,” Mr Giles recalled.
“There was no political argy bargy. There was no politics involved in those days at all. We were a very, very well run council.”
Mr Giles said the amalgamation with the City of Berwick was a “pretty bitter pill to swallow” as Cranbourne was debt free and “kicking goals.”
City of Casey Mayfield Ward Councillor Amanda Stapledon said the anniversary celebrations were fantastic.
“It was just such a really warm and local event. That’s what loved about it most is that it was all about Cranbourne,” she said.
“We had a fabulous marquee tent set up and historic photos of Cranbourne – that’s now going to be set up at the Balla Balla Community Centre to carry the legacy on.”
“We had some old shire presidents and shire secretaries and engineers. We had some great local talent too.”
But the event left some residents a little upset that more wasn’t done to celebrate the milestone.
Cranbourne resident of 60 years, Peter Kelly said there was only one marquee tent “had anything to do” with Cranbourne’s history.
“Yes there was some music, some talk from some local councillors and a sausage sizzle, but that was basically it,” he said,
“It is such a shame that they (community members) weren’t given the recognition they deserved on such an important occasion.”
Mr Giles also said “it was a pretty low key affair” and that “there wasn’t a bit more made of it.”
Cranbourne North resident Graham Facey, who came to Cranbourne in 1950, also said “it was a small recognition compared with the street parade in 1968.”
Cr Stapledon admitted Casey Council had a limited time frame to organise the event.
“The led up to Bunjil (Place) and then Christmas (last year) left us with a very short window to prepare for this.”
She said all past shire members and community groups were contacted: “We really cast the net wide. It was opened for everyone to turn up.”
