Mildura Day a chance to celebrate our city’s special place in history

Published on 22 May 2018

Sunraysia residents are invited to join us in celebrating our city’s unofficial birthday next week with two special events to mark Mildura Day.

Mildura Day celebrates the formalisation of Mildura as Australia’s first irrigation colony when, 131 years ago on 31 May 1887, our city’s founding fathers, Americans George and William Benjamin (WB) Chaffey, signed an indenture with Her Majesty Queen Victoria, represented by Sir Henry Brougham Loch of the Colony of Victoria.

Next week’s Mildura Day celebrations on Thursday 31 May will be based around two main events – the official opening of a new Carnegie Centre display during the day and a celebration event at the Quality Hotel Mildura Grand Ballroom at night.

The opening of the Carnegie Centre display will take place at 2pm, featuring a presentation by special guest Tom McCullough, who is a former director of the Mildura Art Gallery and former multiple director of the Mildura Triennial. The Cardross Progress Association will also be on hand to host afternoon tea.

Thursday night’s celebration in the Grand Ballroom will get under way from 7pm and take guests back in time as everyone is asked to dress in period costume. The evening will feature a host of entertainment, including live music, a historical play and readings.

Tickets to this event are $10 each and include a light supper and sherry or orange juice on arrival. Tickets can be purchased from the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre in Deakin Avenue.

Other attractions to mark Mildura Day include a tour of the historic Mildura Club at 3.30pm next Thursday and a display of early newspapers at the Mildura Library, which will be available to view every day until the end of the month.

Mildura Mayor and Chaffey Trail Reference Group Chairman Mark Eckel encouraged residents to embrace Mildura’s special day.

“Mildura Day is one of my favourite celebrations of the year, as it highlights our unique place in Australia’s history as the country’s first irrigation colony,” Cr Eckel said.

“It’s a chance for our residents, both long-time and newly arrived, to learn about our beautiful city’s formative years.

“It’s also an opportunity to remember and acknowledge the vision, innovation and resilience of our founding fathers, as well as the progress we’ve made to become the vibrant, multicultural city we enjoy today.”

For more information about Mildura Day events, contact the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre on 1800 039 043 or drop in to the centre.

Media enquiries  Ben Piscioneri p) (03) 5018 8689  e) [email protected]