Patrick Tucker, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Close to 100 people gathered at Murrabit on Sunday to celebrate the Gonn Crossing Bridge’s 100th anniversary.

Hosted by the Murrabit and District Heritage Group, the ceremony at Miss Keats Picnic Park included speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the raising of the bridge’s historic lift span.

As spectators watched the bridge rise, a small party barge passed beneath under winter sunshine and drifting smoke from a morning fire.

Celebrations later continued at Murrabit Hall with lunch, a commemorative cake and historical displays.

Heritage Group president Neil Hopkins said organisers were thrilled with the day.

“We were absolutely thrilled with it,” he said.

“The day began down at the river and I thought it was just a magical atmosphere. It was set up perfectly.

“Then we went back for lunch. We packed the hall out.

“The whole thing went terrifically well. We had so many positive comments. It makes it really worthwhile.”

Mr Hopkins said the ceremony beside the bridge was the highlight.

“A couple of people said to me afterwards the atmosphere was so perfect it almost moved them to tears,” he said.

“That’s how it felt.

“You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.”

He said the celebration gave people the opportunity to reconnect with the district’s history.

“Our group is very interested in history, but we’re also very keen to bring it to people and let them share in it,” he said.

“People reconnect. They catch up with people they might not have seen for five, 10 or even 40 or 50 years.

“To our group, the bridge is a really important part of Murrabit because it physically connected communities that had been separated by the river.

“It’s about making sure special things and special times are acknowledged, then passed on to your children and future generations.”

Murrabit and District Heritage Group secretary Narelle O’Donoghue said life before the crossing was very different.

“Before the bridge, the Murray River decided everything,” she said.

“It decided whether wool reached market on time. It decided whether children could get to school, whether stock could be moved, whether families could visit one another, or whether a doctor could be reached in an emergency.

“The bridge represented something greater than steel and concrete.

“It represented the future.”

For Steve Monk, the bridge had never simply been a way across the Murray.

“I worked out one day that I must have crossed the bridge more than 35,000 times,” he said.

“It’s vital for us because it’s our link to everything.

“Most of the things we’re involved in are on the Victorian side.

“Local families cross the river to be involved in sport, service clubs, social activities and everyday life.

Mr Monk said his family’s connection with the bridge stretched back almost as far as the bridge itself.

“My mother, Dos, who helped cut the ribbon, lived just down where the boat ramp is,” he said.

“She was born and bred there, as were her parents.

“My grandfather and his brother worked on building the bridge.

“Every time we went down to Nana’s house we’d hear the cars going over the bridge, clunkety clunk.

“The house was close to the river, so the bridge was always there. Every time we visited it was part of our lives.”

Mr Monk said one of his favourite moments came after he had finished speaking at the ceremony.

“After I’d done my bit, I looked around and saw the people, the trees, the birds, the river in the background and the bridge,” he said.

“Even the smoke from the fire was just perfect.”

He said seeing past residents return to Murrabit was a sight to remember.

“To see so many faces of people with a connection to Murrabit and the district was fantastic,” he Said.

“There were so many former locals back for the day.

“Seeing everyone mingling and talking about the bridge was wonderful.”  

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 9 July 2026.