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Page Last Updated:
Thursday, 22 March 2012 |
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Home>Residents>Bright 150
The Bright 150 Working Group is made up of dedicated community members working hard to ensure the 150th anniversary of Bright lifts community pride and togetherness.
Contact: Kate Houlgate, Secretary of the Working Group 03 5755 0550 or kateh@alpineshire.vic.gov.au.
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| The name BRIGHT was officially used on survey maps back in 1862. To celebrate the past 150 years of Bright & District a calendar of events will take place from January to August 2012.
Find the Bright 150th program here.
Latest Update - 19 March, 2012:
Updated Events:
Mount Buffalo Big Walk, 24 March
Walk up Mount Buffalo following the Big Walk, a similar route to the original staker’s track. You can walk top to bottom, or begin half way to tackle the top half.
This event pays tribute to the ‘Bright Alpine Club’ of the 1890s and early part of the 20th century, which was responsible for much promotion of Bright as a tourist destination with the walk (or ride) up Mt Buffalo one of the activities they advertised.
Walkers will have the choice of either doing the entire walk from the old entry station (11.3km and 1000m climb) or do the top half starting from Mackey’s Lookout to the Chalet and return (11.4 Km, 380m climbing, 5 hours) having lunch at the Chalet picnic area.
As it is an official Bright 150th event, a bus has been provided for those doing the full walk to enable car drivers to follow the bus up to the Chalet car park and then catch the bus back to the bottom to start the walk. The bus will run once only and will be a free service.
Those wishing to do the full walk should be at the Park entrance (the old pay station) by 7.30 am. As it is only a 22 seater bus, seating will be restricted to car drivers and will be in order of arrival.
Those wishing to come should advise Malcolm Millar on 5755 1949, 0428 173 595 or via email here.
A Parks Ranger will be on hand to advise walkers. Walkers should be familiar with the Parks Victoria brochure on the Big Walk. However the brochure states that refreshments are available from the Café at the Chalet – this is incorrect and the only refreshments on the mountain are at Dingo Dell. The Brochure is available from Visitor Information Centres in Myrtleford and Mount Beauty or the Alpine Information Centre, Bright, or can be downloaded here.
Those doing the Mackeys Lookout to the Chalet and return walk are to meet at the Senior Citizens car park in Bright at 8.30am and car pool to Mackeys Lookout (or meet at the old Mt Buffalo entry Station at 0845 and car pool to Mackeys Lookout).
Leader Don Coulson can be contacted on 5755 1573 or via email here.
Youth Council 150th Birthday Party, 1 April - this event has been moved from 17 February to 1 April due to inclement weather, see program for more details.
New Events:
Looking Back at Mount Buffalo Photo Competition, 1 April -15 June - see program for more details.
150 Years of Fashion, June (exact date TBC) - this will be a fashion parade celebrating fashion over the past 150 years.
Looking Back at Mount Buffalo at Grape & Grain Bar, 7 July - A night filled with music from the 1950s-1980s, with displays of the photographs entered in the photo competition and prizes awarded.
150 Calendar
The special 150 Celebration Calendar includes historical events, exhibitions and community gatherings. Existing events and festivals such as the Autumn Festival and others are being encouraged, where ever possible, to incorporate the historical 150 theme.
Official Launch
The official 150 Celebration Launch will take place on Saturday, 21 January at 11am (approx 30 mins) during the monthly Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market in Howitt Park. The launch will include an entertaining snapshot of what to expect during the coming year’s celebrations, a live performance by Stuart Biggins and his song for Bright and official dignitaries.
5 Eras Concept
The 150 years will be split into 5 eras over the 8 months, with other events taking place in between these eras. There will be five separate weeks designated to celebrate a block of three decades or 30 years.
6 – 12 February 1860 – 1890 - Gold, pioneering, first vineyards, common schools established, arrival of railway to Bright, tourism developed rapidly
21 – 27 May - 1890 – 1920 - WWI, first pine plantings, roaring 20’s, opening Buffalo Chalet
11 – 17 June - 1920 – 1950 - Great depression, WWII, swing and big bands, tobacco, Bright Pine Mill
9 – 15 July - 1950 – 1980 - Rock n Roll, Vietnam War, flower power, disco, gold dredging ceases, post war immigration
13 – 19 August - 1980 – Present day - Shoulder pads, internet, social media, tobacco production ceased, formation of Alpine Shire.
An event that is currently being developed is a debate, arguing that the name of Bright should be changed back to Morses Creek, the original name of the town. The debate will be held in Winter 2012. If you are passionate and an enthusiastic speaker and would like to be involved please contact Malcolm Millar, Chair of the Operations Group 03 5755 1949.
History
The name of Bright was first officially used in early 1862 when it appeared on the survey map for the town prepared by Acting District Surveyor John Darbyshire. Darbyshire was in charge of the official auction of blocks of land, held on August 29, 1862. It is generally accepted that the name Bright was selected by the Minister for Lands at the time, Charles Gavan Duffy, whose name is perpetuated in Gavan Street, originally called Gavan Duffy Street, now part of the Great Alpine Road. The name Bright honored English politician John Bright who consistently fought for the rights of working men. He was born on November 16, 1811, in Lancashire, so in November this year it will be the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Community Support
A number of people have volunteered to join the three sub-groups that will help to manage, promote and fund the celebrations. We welcome involvement by individuals or community organisations that wish to support these three groups; the Operational Sub-Group, the Administration and Finance Group and the Marketing Group.
Council Support
Council is involved in supporting the celebrations through John Carter, Manager Strategic Services acting in the position as Chair of the Finance and Administration Sub Group; and Kate Houlgate, Tourism Marketing Assistant acting as Secretary of the Working Group. The 2011/2012 Council budget saw money allocated to the celebrations which will be used for marketing activities amongst other things.
Updates
Get Bright 150 celebrations updates via Facebook - Bright150; or Twitter @Bright150
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