By KATH GANNAWAY
PARTY hats, party food and an unlimited supply of Post-it notes set the tone for a community meeting on Thursday night to come up with ideas for Healesville’s 150th birthday celebrations next year.
More than 70 people responded to the call by Community 3777 to meet at The Memo for a brain-storming session.
Representatives of the town’s business and community groups, service clubs, schools and sporting clubs, the region’s vibrant music and arts community, the historical society and Yarra Ranges Council took part with ideas coming thick and fast.
Reincarnations of previous successful events and innovative new ideas to give the 150th its own identity all emerged.
Cr McAllister said November had been earmarked for the main celebratory weekend, but the door was open to suggestions and ideas as to whether events might happen throughout the year as well.
A parade? Absolutely! But exactly what that could look like, was up for debate – and there were plenty of issues in the mix.
Events ranged from fireworks to opera, or rock music, at Maroondah Dam, to a 150th Ball, vintage tennis, a Jazz train, arts projects, a flag parade of Healesville diverse ethnic population, an historic slide show, a bake-off by Yarra Valley chefs, soap box orators, markets, an light and sound show and a 24-hour music festival.
Community 3777 chair Kath Holton said the mosaic of ideas was an exciting start to the celebrations.
“I’m tremendously excited by the number of people who turned up tonight and by the amazing ideas that tumbled out of people’s brains and mouths,” she said.
The next step was to collate the ideas and send them back to the groups and individuals who participated, she said.
“We also want to engage the rest of the community who didn’t come tonight; it’s very important that the whole town feels that they are part of this.”
She said there would be more opportunities to get people together but encouraged individuals start thinking about what they want to see in the 150th celebrations, and how they can play a part.
The 150th celebrations email is h150@live.com.au, or visit the Community 3777 facebook page for information.
