Corryong’s 150th anniversary celebrations began on Sunday with a well attended Proclamation High Tea with many guests decked out in period dress.

Sheril Wilson, Corryong & District Memorial Hall committee member, Corryong Courier

The committee extends its great appreciation and thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of its Proclamation High Tea on Sunday 20th July.

After a shaky start, community support was amazing forcing the early closure of ticket purchase. We thank you all for attending and supporting this event. Apologies for those missing out.

Corryong College excelled with its band entertaining crowd with music through the ages. It’s so fantastic to witness these talented students perform with such professionalism, supported by teachers and parents. Sorry you all gave up the final day of school holidays!

College students also ably assisted in the kitchen with various tasks in delivery of food and the dreaded washing up. Nadia’s Hospitality students made and served copious pots of tea, always with smiling faces and a welcome. Well done everyone. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Our committee members are always ‘blown away’ with the respect, smiles and ‘good fun’ of these young people – a reflection of parents, family and teachers. Our community future is well cared for.

Nadia and Renata a.k.a. ‘The Two of Us’ held the crowd spell bound with their magical voices accompanied by Renata on piano. Such talent. Thank you both so very much for your input to making this day one to remember.

The performance by Army Trio was a treasured time. All the way from Kapooka, their first visit to the Upper Murray was memorable for both themselves and this community. Thank you Army.

Now our mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, performing the ‘Proclamation’ together with Gavin Heycox set the next 150 years in motion – not that anyone of us will enjoy the 300th Anniversary of Corryong Proclamation!

Andrew gave it all with his acting skills, reading the script we believe hidden somewhere in the Corryong Courier! Well done Mayor and Gavin.

How good was the piper? Great work Angus Beath. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the sounds emanating from those pipes and the kilt was a sight to behold.

A huge appreciation to volunteers Kaye and Leonie for the momentous effort in organizing, preparing and delivery of delicious and varied food. It turned out bigger than ‘Ben Hur’, a little stressful with sleepless nights. The end result was magnificent. Truly girls, the biggest thank you. The helpers behind the scenes, you are wonderful. Nothing was too much effort. Your input contributed the success of the event. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Lizzie on the bar has a new calling, happily serving and chatting, even though our Eftpos chucked a hissy fit so cash sales only. Thank you Lizzie and patrons for your good hearted understanding.

Thanks to Red Cross for cooking and providing 20 delicious sponges. They finished the day off with a bang.

As always, our appreciation to Helen and staff at Café Corryong Brew for stepping in and providing for the forgotten or fixing the unexpected. Thank you.

The Man From Snowy River Museum compiled and supplied the screen video of photos of the past Corryong history – absolutely hours and hours of volunteer time! Thank you so much for the tremendous effort and support of the 150th celebrations and record of our heritage.

To the Man from Snowy River Tourism Association, thank you for supplying costumes which added greatly to the atmosphere. Stepping back in time and into those dresses was a sight and laugh to behold. How ladies dressed like that all the time beggars belief!

To Kerissa Heritage and staff from the Towong Shire, our appreciation for the administration support and advertising role you happily undertook with great flair.

Our gratitude also to John Whitehead for his work in supplying and framing his son Mark’s iconic photo of the snow covered mountains overlooking Corryong. Fantastic workmanship John.

Our appreciation also goes to our photographer Rod MacDonald for his great work.

(P.S. The raffle was won by Bernice Mitchell!).

This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 24 July 2025.