COAL Creek is celebrating its 50th Birthday, with community members invited to join the fun on Saturday April 20 for a packed program of entertainment and heritage demonstrations and the launch of the Turning Points exhibition that provides a look back at the tourist park’s history.
“We wanted to make an occasion of 50 years of Coal Creek because it’s such an important milestone for South Gippsland and the region,” Coal Creek team leader Kim O’Connell said.
The event was designed to appeal to as many age groups as possible, including those who were around when Coal Creek started and young kids visiting the tourist park for the first time.
While celebrating the rich history and heritage of Coal Creek, the day will also feature rides, roving entertainment, face painting, live music, and a great selection of food and beverage.
Heritage trade demonstrations will include blacksmithing, spinners, and wheelwrights.
Two silent era films, one featuring Charlie Chaplain and the other Buster Keaton, will be shown in the Mechanics Institute building, accompanied by a live performance from jazz band ‘Sounds of Silent’.
Outdoors, Korumburra Croquet Club will teach attendees how to play.
Music runs throughout the day and into the evening, kicking off with folk duo ‘Simple Folk’, then working through more modern genres such as rock music and electronica.
‘Sand Brothers’ will entertain with contemporary Australian Rock, ‘Cool Out Sun’ will bring a dance vibe and ‘Shouse’ will finish the program, having headlined dance parties from Majorca to the Paris Fashion Festival.
A long table will be set up in the glade near the slab cottage and wattle and daub hut, with endless tea on offer and the chance to sit and chat while being entertained by the antics of pop-up Alice in Wonderland appearances from Leongatha Lyric Theatre Group.
Alice and the White Rabbit will be on a mission to find 50 years of lost time.
The Turning Points exhibition includes Coal Creek advertising from the 1970s, footage of Karmai the giant worm, and insights into the original design of the tourist park.
South Gippsland Shire mayor Clare Williams encourages people to come and join the celebrations of Coal Creek’s major milestone.
“The park has been enjoyed by many children, families and adults who have visited over the years and experienced a taste of our region’s rich history, and recently I’ve enjoyed seeing this space activated with music and contemporary art,” Cr Williams said.
Coal Creek was originally envisaged by a group of local residents who urged the then Korumburra Shire Council to establish a place where history and heritage could be preserved.
With support from the broader community, council and the State Government, Coal Creek opened on March 2, 1974.
Many buildings have been added since and the site has hosted an array of events and community celebrations.
The park’s heritage buildings provide a snapshot of the local coal mining past.
Coal Creek’s volunteers continue to be essential to its existence, manning its buildings, maintaining the grounds and providing heritage demonstrations.
The whole upper park at Coal Creek will come alive for the birthday celebration, which runs from 12pm until 8pm.
There are booking links on the Coal Creek Facebook page and website.
