Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), Monday 19 February 1923, page 2


"BACKTO HAMILTON." There will be a noteworthy assemblage of Western District pioneers at the "Home to Hamilton" celebrations which are to extend from the 24th February to the 3rd March next. Hamilton is one of the oldest towns in Victoria. The district was settled a few years after the historic expedition of Major Mitchell, in 1836, and a township was estalished on the Grange Creek, which became the town of Hamilton to-day. During the intervening years descendants of families who were indentified with the opening up of this famous district have spread to all parts of the Commonwealth, and already over eight hundred of them from every State in the Commonwealth have accepted invitations to return to the approaching home coming. The Cele-brations Committee has made elaborate preparations for their entertainment. On the arrival of a special train from Melbourne on the 24th February an official welceme home will be extended ; on Mon-day evening there will be a welcome home social in the town hall ; and thereafter will follow a comprehensive programme of engagements, including special Church services, band recitals, back to school festivities, visits to beauty spots, lodge and soldiers reunions; monster picnic, race and sports meetings, cricket match between past and present players, swim-ming and boat races on the Grange, bowlers' gymkhana, torch light processions. open-air entertainments, ancient and modern dance socials, croquet and tennis tourneys, terrier coursing, gun club shoots, picture entertainments, etc. Old Hamil-tonians who have not received an official invitation are requested to communicate with Mr E. J. Ealey, secretary of the Back to Hamilton Committee. The s.s. Boveric, from Glasgow, arrived at the port on Friday and took up the berth vacated by the Trewinnard. She will lift about 80,0000 bags for abroad. The wheat is coming to hand much faster, and the loading is expected to be completed by Wednesday.