An official book launch, where 400 copies of the book will be available, will precede the opening of an exhibition at the Kyabram Town Hall in Allan St at 2pm on Saturday, December 3.
The town hall will act as the historic venue for the launch of the celebration, which has been planned by a dedicated eight-member committee for more than a year. It will also host the exhibition, following on from another historic Kyabram exhibition — focused on the Kyabram Reform League.
Barry Churches, chair of the centenary committee and one of many Kyabram residents with strong links to the cannery’s celebrated history, is expecting more than 150 people to attend the celebration launch of the centenary.
Books will continue to be available for sale, both at the Kyabram Town Hall and at Grill’s Allan Street newsagency, from Monday, December 5.
“The commemorative book will retail at $25 with pick up from the Kyabram Town Hall (postage additional for mail orders). It has now extended to a 138-page historical reflection of the Kyabram Cannery (and) is great value for money,” Mr Churches said.
He said 90 people had accepted the open invitation to attend, quite a few of those travelling from regional and metropolitan Victoria, and some from interstate.
"It would be really helpful if people who live locally could let us know if they are planning to attend,“ he said.
Mr Churches said the centenary event had come together better than he could have ever imagined, gathering momentum and support from the wider community as people realised their historic connections to the cannery.
“We have had some terrific sponsorship support and had some more sponsors come on board in the last week or so,” he said.
Mr Churches said there was enough memorabilia to fill the Isobel Harvie Gallery, which would have at its heart a series of banners that depict all the activity of the cannery in photographs.
There will be tours of the Ky Cold Storage facility, conducted by manager Darren Gledhill — organisers gaining the support of Chris Fairless to tour the facility.
Alan Weeks will also have a role in explaining a modern Kyabram to those on the bus visiting their former home town.
He will lead tours of the town, including a visit to the Kyabram Water Tank Mural, the Kyabram Fauna Park, industrial parks, new estates, the Kyabram Cold Storage and a drive by the Kyabram Cannery building and hostel and more.
“They will drive through the building and Alan's knowledge of Kyabram will make it an interesting experience,” he said.
Six of the eldest living people with strong connections to the cannery will be special guests at the Saturday launch of celebrations, although the 103-year-old oldest known former cannery worker will not be attending as she lives in Perth.
Among the special guests will be Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and his wife Liz Spicer, along with Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and Campaspe shire councillors Colleen Gates and John Zobec.
It’s not too late for people attend the centenary celebrations — order a book or wish to book a seat on a bus tour. People can contact Barry on 0408 570 138 or Marg on 0407 097 365, or even via email kyabramcannerycentenary@gmail.com
