TAWONGA township celebrated its 180-year anniversary, combined with the reopening of the Tawonga Memorial Hall after recent renovations over the weekend.
More than 500 people attended the celebrations, which started with the launch of the new hall on Friday evening, followed by a bush dance enjoyed by more than 160 people.
Saturday saw festivities kick off with official celebrations in the Tawonga Pioneer Memorial Park, complete with a landmark cake-cutting by Tawonga's most senior resident, Dot Higginson, and Ovens Valley MP, Tim McCurdy.
Event organisers Tawonga and District Community Association (TDCA), in collaboration with the Kiewa Valley Historical Society Inc also compiled a Memories Showcase over the weekend, which displayed the history of the valley from the colonial era onwards and provided viewers insights from an agricultural, first people’s and generational standpoint.
"The weekend was magnificent, we couldn't be happier with the result," TDCA president Mark Redmond said.
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"It was a wonderful way to bring a broad landscape of people together, with visitors from all over the state to celebrate our history in the valley.
"We’ve gone through a lot...we've endured fires, floods, Covid and yet the Tawonga community pulls through and it’s moments like this weekend which show how impressive the resilience of our community is.
"One of our key aims for the weekend, which was a huge success, was to show recent generations what life was like for first generation settlers in the area.
"A lot of them didn’t know the region's history or had never even seen a tractor up close.
"Over Saturday and Sunday there were 300-odd people circulating through the memory display: we saw some people two days in a row, because it was of such interest to them.
"We've received so many positive comments from this weekend: it just shows the value of local events such as this.
“With the support of the Alpine Shire Council, the Kiewa Valley Flood and Landslip Community Grants program 2024/2025 and the Kiewa Valley Historical Society (KVHS) we were able to host a successful weekend.
"We could not have put together our memories showcase without the help of the KVHS.
"A huge thank-you to my fellow committee organisers and to those that supported them, to help run the event.
"Thanks also to members of the public and organisations who brought along photographs and memorabilia to add to the memorial display.
"Thanks to those who attended the festivities: we’ll see everyone at the 200 year anniversary."
