By Callum Ludwig
An exciting event is set to light up Millgrove with all residents encouraged to come along.
The Millgrove Light Trail will be on display on Saturday 20 April and will show off a history of the township throughout the ages.
CEO Claire Ruby James and Manager and Trainer Christopher Anthony James of The Dreaming Space are both Millgrove residents and said they are both excited to be bringing the event to their hometown.
“We live in Millgrove and we travel into the city to perform most of the time so it’s an absolute pleasure to bring our creativity home and to share our perspective and our gifts of creating magical spaces for people,” Ms James said.
“The event is based on helping people to become aware of the history of this land and of the Yarra Ranges through an artistic reenactment of various pivotal moments that brought everyone to Millgrove and to the Yarra Valley,” Mr James said.
“It’s gained a lot of momentum already, we know we’re probably going to be booked out because 50 people have already booked their place.”
The story told on the trail starts in 1851 when John and Brig Kennedy first ventured to the town from Ireland, having left their country to escape the poor potato farming conditions, hase the gold rush in Ballarat and were later sponsored by the government through the land selection process to farm and develop the land in Millgrove.
Ms James said the event will start at the Millgrove CFA where attendees can gather before the walk begins.
“From there, we’ll be taking you along the river and back up through some of the historical houses, back up through the shops and into the present-day future of our hopes and dreams for Millgrove,” she said.
“It’s absolutely imperative for people to get out and about into the area to really connect and appreciate how lucky we are in the diversity of the nature around us and of what came before us and what people before us had to do to create the space that we’re now able to live and thrive in.”
The event has been organised by The Dreaming Space and the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) with the support of the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise and Yarra Ranges Council.
An MRAG spokesperson said the group is super excited and very pleased to be presenting this interactive all-age community event.
“The Light Trail is part of a four-year journey, sharing and celebrating the township, the following years, two, three, and four, from 2024 to 2027, will build on this wonderful beginning,” they said.
“Events like these, we believe, provide the residents with a sense of pride, and a sense of inclusion, which builds resilience, the Light Trail is a fun way to educate and share the unique aspects of Millgrove and it is a chance to connect with fellow neighbours, which is sometimes difficult in our busy lives,”
The MISFIT Theatre group will be the performers depicting the historic scenes along the walk.
The MRAG spokesperson said attendees will be experiencing Millgrove in a different light, literally.
“The guided tour will showcase the wonders of the beautiful spaces at night time, enjoying local entertainment, and an adventure into history,” they said.
“There are so many facets to enjoy; the night walk, intriguing stories about this town came to be, socialising with other locals, and yummy food is available from the local traders at the end of the tour.”
