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TODAY marks a special and memorable day in the history of the tight-knit Tyrendarra community.
On this day exactly 50 years ago, an official State Electricity Commission (SEC) switching-on ceremony took place, providing homes in the town with the luxury of power at the flick of a switch.
During the ceremony, which was later celebrated with a lavish ball at the Tyrendarra Hall, a ribbon was cut with a special pair of inscribed scissors.
This week, remarkably the same scissors were presented to the Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve Committee, who will now ensure the memorable item keeps its place in history.
Making the occasion truly special the scissors were handed over by 11-year-old local girl Jaymi Trickey, who is the great-great-great granddaughter of Florence-May Allitt, the guest of honour at the switching on ceremony almost half a century ago.
An article in the Portland Guardian newspaper on February 25, 1963, the week after the occasion, describes why Mrs Allitt receiving the scissors.
“The guest of honour for the evening, Mrs Allitt has won the affection of all residents with whom she has come in contact during her 42 year’s associated as post-mistress at Tyrendarra.”
The article says Mrs Allitt received the inscribed scissors as a gift to keep after receiving the honour of cutting the ribbon at the ceremony.
Read more in Wednesday’s Portland Observer.
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