General News
26 October, 2023
Back-to has town buzzing over weekend
BRIDGEWATER was buzzing at the weekend for the memorial hall centenary and back-to celebrations. Former residents started registering from early Saturday at the fire station where historic photos were on display before venturing to the larger...
BRIDGEWATER was buzzing at the weekend for the memorial hall centenary and back-to celebrations.
Former residents started registering from early Saturday at the fire station where historic photos were on display before venturing to the larger exhibition in the hall supper room.
Returning residents praised the organising committee covened by Jill Hobbs for the breadth of historic collections in the supper room covering the district’s history over more than 150 years.
Displays honoured agricultural and business achievements of residents.
Many took self-guided tours of the town and its cemetery during the day before attending the official hall celebrations.
Inglewood-Bridgewater RSL sub-branch president Michael Hobson conducted a brief commemorative service before Loddon Shire’s Inglewood Ward councillor Wendy Murphy cut the ribbon to open the hall’s doors after a $250,000 refurbishment.
Mrs Hobbs later told the celebration dance crowd that the original vote by residents on whether to build a new hall had been tight - 26-25.
Sunday’s family day at the recreation reserve to end back-to celebrations was well attended and raised money to assist Bridgewater on Loddon Development in continued maintenance of the hall.
Alex Collins auctioned items that included a bucket painted with town scenes. Local Rae Broadbent won the bidding war with Ripon MP Martha Haylett. Local policeman Mick Balazs spoke of the importance of the community, its volunteers and achievers since he arrived in the town in 2007.
Mrs Hobbs and fellow organising committee member Graham Morse said their team had spent 18 months planning the weekend. “It was wonderful,” Mrs Hobbs said following the packed back-to weekend.
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