The 150 year celebrations for Jamestown are fast approaching and the J150 committee is well into the planning stages for various community events and projects. One of the projects is to replace the plaque marking the site of the Belalie Mail Station, which actually pre-dates the settlement of Jamestown. The existing monument was unveiled during the centenary celebrations of 1971, but was damaged by vandals some years ago. Also, the closing of the eastern section of Creek Street has isolated the monument. The committee is working toward making the site more accessible and will unveil the new plaque in 2021, 50 years after the original unveiling.
The first community event to be held in 2021 will be an afternoon cricket round robin tournament for past and present players, followed by an evening of entertainment in the town hall. This will include a fashion parade of period costume and the registration of clean-shaven competitors for the beard growing competition. The beard growing comp will be judged at the major community celebration in November 2021.
Work has also commenced on renovating and modernising the centenary sign and information board, which was designed by Ian Walker for the 1971 centenary celebrations. Until recent years, this sign was sited at the western end of the main street. In 2021 it will be unveiled at its new home in a redeveloped information bay adjacent to Perry’s service station.
Apex and the J150 committee are also working toward the design of new town entrance signs, which are to be completed early in 2021. These will be placed at the five main entrances to the town and will highlight features of the districts that the roads enter from.
A book is being produced recording the history of the last 50 years of local industry, local government, health and hospital, retail, professionals, agriculture, sporting groups, volunteer organisations, education, manufacturing, power generation, politics, transport, churches and events. The reason for covering the last 50 years it that a book covering the first 100 years was produced to coincide with the centenary celebrations of 1971, and it is fitting to follow on with another book. Key people within the community have now been invited to contribute with photographs and text about the changes in the town since 1971. These entries have started to flow in and will be edited by the committee. The book will be published in 2021 and launched at the J150 community event to be held in Memorial Park in November 2021.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT THESE SUBMISSIONS ARE RECEIVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND THE COMMITTEE WILL BE CONTACTING THOSE THAT HAVE NOT GOT SUBMISSIONS IN VERY SOON. IF YOU WOULD LIKE HELP OR GUIDANCE:
Please Contact Chairman David Cooper (0417 896 772),
Secretary Steph Lunn (0430 113 583), or Tracey Dewell (0427 881 104).
