Mildura Day marks 50 years of friendship with Upland sister city

Published on 16 May 2019

This Mildura Day Sunraysia residents are invited to join us in celebrating not only our city’s official ‘birthday’, but also its special 50 year friendship with sister city Upland, USA.

Each year Mildura Day celebrates the formalisation of our town as Australia’s first irrigation colony when, 132 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.

Mildura Day celebrations on Friday 31 May will be based around three main events – a historical walk down Deakin Avenue starting at the Carnegie Centre, the Mildura Station Homestead Open Day and a gala dinner aboard paddle vessel Mundoo.

The historical walk, hosted by Glenn Miller, along Deakin Avenue will commence at 9.30am and finish at the Alfred Deakin Sculpture on Seventh Street at 10.30am.

The Mildura Station Homestead Open Day will be held from 10am, with steam engine and wood turning demonstrations taking place. From 11am light refreshments can be purchased from the Cadross Progress Association. Then at 1pm join us in the Woolshed where historian and special guest Ken Orchard will present his findings on early Mildura and Upland.

Finally step back in time aboard paddle vessel the Mundoo from 5.30pm. The evening will feature a host of entertainment, including historical re-enactments of the sister city relationship between Mildura and Upland.

Tickets to this event are $75 each and include a three course meal and sherry on arrival. Tickets can be purchased from the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre in Deakin Avenue.

Councillor for Economic Development and Tourism 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.

“This year is particularly exciting because we’re exploring the historic relationship between us and our sister city Upland, which was also created as an irrigation settlement by the Chaffey Brothers.”

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

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  Sionnie Kelly p) (03) 5018 8154  e) [email protected]