General News
17 March, 2022
Natimuk prepares to celebrate historic milestone
Natimuk community groups are busy preparing the final details for the celebrations that will mark the town's 150th anniversary of settlement.
NATIMUK community groups are busy preparing the final details for the celebrations that will mark the town's 150th anniversary of settlement.
Organisers anticipate the three day Back To Natimuk event will attract over 500 visitors, doubling the town’s population on the weekend of March 25 to March 27.
Back-to-Natimuk event spokesman Keith Lockwood said the celebrations were timed to coincide with the 130th grand annual Natimuk Show.
“It is almost exactly 150 years since the first settlers Ernst Haustorfer and Henry Speher received their land licences on March 28, 1872,” he said.
“People are coming from far and wide for the event, from across Victoria and interstate.”
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The Arapiles Historical Society, Natimuk A and P Society and Back-to-Natimuk trustees are steering final preparations for the weekend.
Mr Lockwood said Member for Lowan Emma Kealy would open the Back-to-Natimuk celebrations on Friday evening, March 25.
The opening of the event will also see the launch of three historical books.
A new pictorial history of Natimuk, Natimuk Reflections by Mr Lockwood and commissioned by the Arapiles Historical Society, will be launched with Natimuk District Pioneers by Colin Haustorfer and the Sudholz Family History About Time by Gianna Sudholz.
UNVEILING HISTORY: Mr Lockwood’s pictorial book Natimuk Reflections highlights the history of Natimuk and will be launched at the Back To Natimuk event. Photo: ABBY WALTER.Mr Lockwood said Natimuk Reflections covered 150 years of the development of the town.
Arapiles Historical Society is preparing to unveil a new exhibition, highlighting the town’s five previous Back-to-Natimuk celebrations, in the Natimuk courthouse following the book launches.
The focus of celebrations on Saturday, March 26 will be the Natimuk Show, with attractions including a street parade, shearing competition, arena events, the opening of a new indoor climbing wall, a speed knitting competition, car and bike competition, animal nursery and historical films.
Natimuk A and P Society secretary Judith Bysouth said street parade entrants must register on email natimukshow@outlook.com by 5pm on Monday, March 21.
The deadline for show entries is also March 21.
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Ms Bysouth said prizes would be awarded for the best-decorated bikes in the street parade.
Sunday’s highlights are set to include helicopter rides from the showground oval and an ecumenical church service in the town square.
Organisations will open their doors to the public at various times through the weekend, including Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club, Natimuk Fire Station, Natimuk RSL and Senior Citizens, Natimuk Primary School, Arapiles Climbing Museum, the courthouse exhibition and Arapiles Art-Craft Centre.
Mr Lockwood said a flyer listing the full program of events was available at several outlets in Horsham and Natimuk and would be available during the Back-to-Natimuk weekend.
“It’s a great chance to come together and have a celebration,” he said.