People arrived in droves at the weekend for Minyip's 150^th birthday celebration as COVID-19 restrictions eased and town-pride claimed centre stage.

Minyip townspeople gathered for a four-day outdoor events program throughout the long-weekend that included live music, historical walks, market stalls and show and shine car displays, a fishing competition and firework displays.

Chairman of the celebration’s steering committee and Minyip Lions Club president Peter Niewand said planning for the long-weekend begun 18 months prior.

He said the committee’s decision to centre the celebrations outdoors and throughout the town, originally to negate COVID-19 restrictions, was a ‘Godsend’.

“We had to change to an all-outdoor event to get around restrictions but in doing so, the celebrations were able to occupy the whole town, making it very family orientated. It also allowed us to enjoy the absolute cracking weather we had all weekend,” he said.

The celebrations began on Friday evening with the event launch.

Yarriambiack mayor Kylie Zanker and State member for Lowan Emma Kealy, were on hand to help kick-start the program and launch the Minyip and District Historical Society’s commemorative book, ‘Minyip Towards 150’.

Mr Niewand said the committee expected a couple hundred people for the launch but were overwhelmed when the turnout preceded their predictions.

“To be honest, it seemed like 450 people-plus, which was excellent. The launch was one the real highlights for me,” he said.

“The Show and Shine car exhibition and competition on Saturday morning was massive too. The crowd looked huge, we won’t know but there seemed to be more than 1000 people roaming between the cars.”

He said the Sunday evening firework display was ‘spectacular’.

“The weather had been great all weekend, but Sunday evening was still, with no wind. To be standing underneath the firework display that night was something else,” he said.

He also described an unveiling of a new monument to ‘hundreds’ of children and young people buried in unmarked and unknown graves in Minyip Cemetery, during the town’s early years, as ‘emotional’.

“Wayne Jackson from the Minyip and District Historical Society had spent enormous amounts of time sourcing together all the names of the many children who died during the harsh years of town settling,” he said.

He said while the Minyip Lions Club provided a ‘vehicle’ for the town’s celebrations, Minyip people were the ones who made it a success.

“Everyone got in and did a bit - the community effort was enormous,” he said.

“There were a number of people at the celebrations who remember being at the town’s centenary birthday in 1972. Many of these people remember that day and then made sure  to be part of this steering committee, to make the 150^th a success too.”

Mr Niewand also confirmed 2022 Minyip Show and Shine Results, as announced during the event:

Best in Show: Michael Silke, Murtoa; 1959 Cadillac Coupe. Best Modified Car: Brian Petrass, Jung; Holden HQ. Best Vintage: Alan Jolley, Horsham; 1934 Ford Five-Window Coupe. Best Modified Ute: Geoff Haeusler, Warracknabeal; Holden WB One-Tonner. Best Club Entry: Tony Lawrance, Horsham; Chrysler 1972 VH RT Charger. People’s Choice: Bruce Midgley, Minyip; 1963 Ford Fairlane. Best Bike: Jim Parker, Ashwood; Indian 1928 Chief. Best Harley: Stephen Polack, Warracknabeal; Harley Breakout. Best Modified Bike: Matt Morrison, Horsham. Best Farm Exhibit: Tanya Clark, Minyip; Chevrolet Truck. 

The entire March 16, 2022 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!