Wellington resident John Whiteley recalls his role during Wellington’s sesquicentenary reenactment in 1967 but his involvement in this year’s milestone will be even more special.
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Mr Whiteley recalls it was his job to “hold Oxley’s horses while he delivered a scroll” during the 1967 reenactment.
He remembers being embarrassed by the beard he was sporting at the time.
“Beards weren’t popular back then,” Mr Whiteley said.
“I was embarrassed by it every time I left the house, but the town held a beard growing competition, so you just did it.”
A lot of excellent work has gone into the preparations for the bicentenary celebrations
- Administrator Michael Kneipp
The active member of the Wellington Lions Club for more than 53 years lit up when discussing his great grandson Jack Whiteley who is set to play the same role he did 50 years ago.
Jack, a Year 2 student at St Mary’s Catholic School, will join nine other students from the area to become John Oxley’s travelling party.
They will be led by three adults on horseback in the roles of John Oxley, George Evans and Allan Cunningham, with the students as the remainder of the party.
The reenactment will take place in Cameron Park on August 19 and will follow on from a performance by Wellington High School and Wellington Public School Wiradjuri Dancers.
It is set to be a quite different to the reenactment held in 1967 with the most notable difference being the involvement of the schools.
“And they won’t have ridiculous beards,” Mr Whiteley joked.
Dubbo Regional Council administrator, Michael Kneipp, encourages the community to get out and enjoy the celebrations, staerting on August 18 with a welcome dinner at Hermitage Hill.
“A lot of excellent work has gone into the preparations for the bicentenary celebrations,” he said.
Tickets are on sale now, available from the Wellington Visitor Information Centre, with a percentage of ticket proceeds being donated to the Wellington hospital.
Celebrations will continue throughout the weekend with Cameron Park markets, Wiradjuri Dancers from local schools, reenactments, free bus tours to Wellington Caves and Lake Burrendong, free Cobb & Co coach rides, carousel rides, jumping castle, live entertainment and much more.
Tim Gilbert of Channel Nine’s Today Show will MC and renowned actor Max Cullen will be a special guest.
