By Alesha Capone
The past and present will come together when Little River’s history is celebrated during the Australian Heritage Festival this weekend.
Volunteers from the town’s Mechanics Institute Hall and Free Library, including Lynne Morse and wife-and-husband Sue and Peter Jones, are helping to plan the Little River Heritage Weekend.
Also lending a hand is long-term Little River resident, Geoff Grass, 85, a descendent of Henry Grass who arrived in the district in 1838 and is thought to be the first pastoralist settler to live in the area.
The Little River Historical Society, Community Landcare and Share-Sustainability Groups, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and Melbourne Water will all contribute to the various events to be held during the heritage weekend. These include an after-dark walk at Mount Rothwell, with a chance to see wildlife at night, and a historical display at the Little River Mechanics Institute Hall.
“We are particularly looking forward to seeing people join in the Wadawurrung Traditional Welcome to Country ceremony and enjoy walking together through our riverside reserves,” Ms Jones said.
“I hope they will also take time to enjoy our farming environment and views across the grasslands to the granite You Yangs.”
Details: www.youyangsregion.org/events/tour19
