Wonthaggi party town
ALL roads led to Wonthaggi on the weekend, with thousands flocking to the town for the centenary celebrations, re-opening of the mine underground tours, Energy Innovation Festival, Human Powered Grand Prix, Wonthaggi motocross racing, RACV car rally, cricket finals and the local pony club dressage and show jumping event.
Bass Coast Shire Arts and Leisure manager and Wonthaggi Centenary co-ordinator Jenny Churchill said there wasn’t a bed to be had in the town and accommodation was fully booked all around the area in Inverloch and Phillip Island.
Talking to The Star during the centenary celebrations at Wonthaggi’s State Coal Mine on Sunday, a very happy and relieved Ms Churchill said the weekend was a huge success and acted as a reunion weekend for many families.
“It was great to see so many people return to the town for the weekend celebrations, many renewing old friendships,” Ms Churchill said.
“We had people come from everywhere for the celebrations, including born and bred Wonthaggi resident Norm Veale who has lived in the town his whole life and whose mother came to Wonthaggi in 1911.”
Saturday saw the big street parade in town and Ms Churchill said there were 80 community groups taking part, involving 1000 people and people were four deep lining the length of Graham Street right up to the hospital.
She said there would have to have been some 7000 people in town for the parade and most headed up to the Wonthaggi Hospital to continue the celebrations at the traditional Garden Party that attracted 70 stalls and provided great entertainment for all the family.
On Sunday a huge crowd gathered at the State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi to mark the centenary of the mine, with the official reopening of the underground mine tours and to launch the new $3 million tourism visitors centre due for completion in September.
Joining in the celebrations on Sunday, Regional and State Government Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan and Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, announced $3 million in funding for the new visitor centre with $1.5 million in Federal tourism funding matched by the State Government.
Ms Allan said the mine reopening and visitor centre, were part of a $3.4 million project co funded by the Brumby Labor Government, the Federal Government, Parks Victoria, and the local community.
The funding will provide for a new visitor centre and interpretative displays, directional signage and landscaping, realignment of pathways and a landing, fencing, and new rail tracks for the new Underground Passenger Transporter Skip.
The new skip was unveiled on Sunday and will be used to take people out of the mine later this year.
In his address at the mine on Sunday Minister Ferguson said: “By investing in tourism in regional communities like Wonthaggi, the Rudd Government is assisting families to get jobs where they live.
“Wonthaggi Coal Mine will encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more; not just in Wonthaggi but in all the towns on the coastal drive between Melbourne and the Croajingolong National Park in the Coastal Wilderness National Landscape.
“This project celebrates the history and heritage of mining in the region and tells a great story about the things we are famous for – Australian mateship and hard work.
Ms Churchill said Wonthaggi Centenary celebrations will continue through the year with the Wonthaggi Brass Band marking 100 years in October and the Wonthaggi Primary School in November.
She said a special Wonthaggi Centenary book will be compiled and launched towards the end of the year.
Saturday’s parade was an explosion of colour and sound, with the best of the town on display. With clowns, bands, the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland, classic cars and a plethora of other entertainers and citizens marching through town, the emphasis was all on fun.
Thousands of rapt locals and out-of-towners enjoyed something that was worth the hundred year wait.
After the parade, throngs of people flocked to the grounds of the hospital, where the celebrations continued with entertainment, a jumping castle, face painting and more.
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