Wyndham residents have shared the community stories that mattered most to them over the 120 years the Werribee Banner (now Wyndham Star Weekly) has been in circulation.
The February 1983 dust storm that enveloped Werribee South was one of the memorable stories for a lot of residents.
The Banner shared photographs residents took of their backyards and motorists driving along the Princes Highway pulled over to observe the phenomenon.
The October 1983 Werribee River flood also made the list. The Banner reported that the flood was one of the biggest floods the town had ever faced.
At the time, the Shire of Werribee was advised to close the Cottrell Street ford after the river flooded.
Another story that came to mind for many residents was the creation of the Werribee South nudist beach.
In 1983, 56 per cent of residents surveyed answered ‘yes’ to the question ‘do you favour the establishment of a free beach in a separate and secluded area of the Point Cook Park with limited access and signs to clearly indicate it as such?’.
Wyndham council voted in July, 2015, to ban nudists from the beach after feeling that urban growth in Werribee South and Point Cook meant the beach was no longer secluded.
Residents also nominated a train derailment in September 2, 1995. A woman died and eight people were taken to hospital.
A woman was crushed to death after a Werribee Train derailed on September 2, 1995.
The much-loved Weerama Festival was also a highlight for the community.
Weerama celebrations in 1992, honoured the rich, multi-cultural heritage of the town with its ‘A Community of Nations’ theme.
