PRIME Minister Julia Gillard, Premier Barry O’Farrell and the Governor General Quentin Bryce will be among the hundreds of distinguished guests to fill St Saviour’s Cathedral on March 14, to celebrate Goulburn’s 150th birthday.
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The ecumenical church service will commemorate the signing of the Letters Patent, declaring Goulburn as Australia’s first inland city in 1863.
The Mass will be followed up two days later with a fireworks display, which will form the centrepiece of the month-long celebration.
One-fiftieth birthday committee member Cr Carol James told the Post she was extremely happy with the way things were shaping up.
She said the events calendar was filling up nicely and there would be something for everybody, from rose shows and race meetings through to art exhibitions and rock concerts.
There will even be a street parade which will tell the story of our city, from the traditional owners of the land through to white settlement and every subsequent generation.
“The parade will be a timeline of history,” Cr James said.
“We really want it to be a time where people can be proud of what has gone on in our past and see where we are going in the future.”
There will be vintage cars and costumes aplenty and organisers say it will be a real spectacle.
Other events include an exhibition of the city’s sporting heritage at the GRAG; the 150th Anniversary Trophy Race at Wakefield Park; an outdoor movie night to raise money for BDCU Goulburn Hospital Fundraising Inc.; and a number of community based luncheons and activities.
The arts will be well represented during the March celebrations, with the Lieder Theatre Company staging the first production of local playwright Jennifer Lamb’s highly anticipated period-drama, “My Brilliant Career”, which tells the story of Miles Franklin’s coming of age and the impact Goulburn had on her as an impressionable teen.
Max Cullen and Brian Allen will stage their new two man show, Henry and The Banjo – The Bulletin Days, at South Hill Gallery on the 16th and on Easter Saturday the city’s youth will put on a concert in Victoria Park.
The annual Multicultural Festival, Rose Show and AP&H Society Goulburn Show will also tie in with celebrations.
However, Cr James says there is still room for more events and she is encouraging the community to get involved.
“I’d still like to see more days in the (calendar) filled up (with activities) but that will be up to citizens’ organisations to put on events,” she said.
“At the end of the day it isn’t Council’s party, it is the city’s party and it is up to everyone to get involved.”
The official birthday guide will be released later in the month. Parade organisers are still accepting entries and are appealing to local community groups to get involved.
Local costume designer Linda Sparks will hold workshops on Victorian Period Dress at Studio Rosebud (203 Auburn St) from Monday, January 21. The classes will run for four hours and help people create their own costumes. Sessions cost $10 each.