By Charlene Macaulay
40 years ago
November 15, 1978
Today’s official opening of the West Gate Bridge by the Premier, Mr. Hamer, marks the dawn of a new era for the people of the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. The bridge brings to an end the great stumbling block of negotiating the city for those people of the southern and eastern suburbs when wending their way west.
30 years ago
November 9, 1988
More than 150 farmers in Werribee and surrounding municipalities are lobbying the State Government to declare the district a drought area after receiving only about half of the annual rainfall they need to survive. One Balliang farmer, Stuart Wilson, fears that if they do not get another four centimetres of rain by Christmas, the area could face a repeat of the 1982 drought when farmers were forced to shoot dying stock.
20 years ago
November 11, 1998
The Princes Freeway Action Committee (PFAC) and local councils have been snubbed by the Federal Government. PFAC has been excluded from plans for the newly-appointed Federal Minister of Transport, Mr Anderson, to inspect the notorious West Gate-Geelong stretch of the road.
10 years ago
November 12, 2008
A Werribee mother blames a crisis in Victoria’s special-care system for her son’s six-year wait for permanent supported accommodation. Sophie Pateras said she faced a constant battle to meet her 28-year-old son’s needs.
