NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Disability Inclusion the Hon Kate Washington returned to Mulwala, where she spent 10 years growing up as a child, to unveil the NSW Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge Centenary Plaque on Sunday with Member for Albury Justin Clancy and Bridge Centenary Committee Joint Chairs John Lawless and Robert Purtle OAM.
Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge unites communities
Despite the warm weather, more than 250 people attended the official ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the Yarrawonga Mulwala traffic bridge on Sunday morning.
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Two plaques were unveiled, the first on the NSW side and the second on the Victorian side of the bridge next to the old Customs House.
Unveiling the Victorian bridge centenary plaque is Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell, Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy with Bridge Centenary Committee Joint Chair John Lawless.
Bridge Centenary Committee Joint Chair Robert Purtle OAM welcomed attendees on the NSW side.
Mr Purtle thanked Federation Councillors Andrew Kennedy and Pat Bourke for their generous donation of the centenary plaque.
He also welcomed one of Mulwala’s oldest residents Arthur Gregory who attended the ceremony.
NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Disability Inclusion the Hon Kate Washington spoke fondly about her time living in Mulwala before unveiling the NSW bridge centenary plaque.
“Arther (99) will be turning the same age as the bridge next year,” Mr Purtle said.
The NSW plaque was officially unveiled by NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Disability Inclusion and Member for Port Stephens the Hon Kate Washington and Member for Albury Justin Clancy.
Minister Washington said she was excited to be back in Mulwala where she spent the first decade of her life.
“It’s been beautiful to be back here,” the minister said.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy emphasised the connection the bridge brings to the border community of Yarrawonga Mulwala.
“Dad (Bert) was principal at the Mulwala Public School and Mum taught over at Yarrawonga and like everyone here today we spent countless times travelling over this bridge.
“I come here today representing the NSW government to acknowledge this bridge and to recognise this communities’ support of it.
“The last decade of my life has been spent in the parliament of NSW and in that role, I’ve understood how very important community is and connections to communities.
“The bridge has provided that connection to the twin towns of Yarrawonga and Mulwala for a century now.
Bridge Centenary Committee John Clarke, Bruce Pigdon OAM, John Lawless, Robert Purtle OAM, Ann and Alex Sloane and Ken Yap. Absent: Kay Reeves and Peter Mansfield.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
“This bridge has played a very special role in a lot of our lives for a century,” the minister added.
Minister Washington said she was also representing the Minister for Regional Roads and Transport and her dear friend Jenny Aitchison.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy echoed the minister's words emphasising the connection the “iconic” bridge provides to Yarrawonga Mulwala.
“It’s been a part of the lives of the people of Yarrawonga Mulwala. When you think of Yarrawonga Mulwala an image of the bridge comes to mind.
“It is an iconic bridge; it is representative of life on the NSW and Victorian border.”
Attendees then proceeded to walk over the Victorian side of the bridge for the unveiling of a second plaque while a procession of vintage vehicles, one representing each decade of the bridge’s life crossed the bridge.
In between the unveiling of the NSW and Victorian plaques a procession of vintage vehicles, one representing each decade of the bridge’s life crossed the bridge.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
At 10.30am Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM then welcomed a large contingent of attendees next to the tourist information centre.
Dr Emonson highlighted the bridge’s “crucial connection” between Yarrawonga and Mulwala and between the two states.
“The bridge brings our two towns together,” Dr Emonson said.
“It enables more than 8000 vehicles to move between the two towns every single day, and of course in busier times, many more than that.
“Not only does it connect us to family and friends, but it is also vital to ensure people have access to employment, education and services as well as things that underpin our region's liveability and vitality, like our local businesses and leisure and recreational activities.
“The Yarrawonga-Mulwala bridge is a vital lifeline of our region that helps our communities connect and thrive.
“Today we are honouring all those who have been involved in the development of the bridge, and we honour its significance as a key part of our identity, our heritage and our daily lives.”
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM highlighted the bridge’s “crucial connection” between Yarrawonga and Mulwala and between the two states.
Dr Emonson also read out the letter to the committee sent from Buckingham Place on behalf of King Charles III, which congratulated the Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge Committee on their efforts to celebrate and preserve the historical significance of the bridge.
Bridge Centenary Committee Joint Chair John Lawless said the turnout exceeded the expectations of the hard-working committee.
“It’s evident here today that people have a close connection to our historic bridge,” Mr Lawless said.
Mr Lawless thanked everyone for coming and he also thanked his committee and many others who have assisted in organising the centenary celebrations.
He then highlighted the important aspects of the bridge which make it of significant heritage value such as the concrete structure, steel trusses and its dip.
“This bridge now is 100 years old, and yet it is the fourth busiest bridge on the Murray and it’s only going to get busier,” Mr Lawless said.
Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy then briefly acknowledged the anniversary celebrations of the current bridge but seized the opportunity to mention much-needed preparations for a new one.
Mr McCurdy heaped praise on the NSW Government for being proactive and “shovel ready” for a new bridge but then said that recent correspondence from the minister in Victoria confirmed that they (Victorian Government) were still doing traffic modelling to determine a route for a new bridge.
“It is disappointing. Ten years ago, we stood here with Terry Mulder (the then-Victorian Minister for Transport) and we agreed on the green route (alongside the railway line),” Mr McCurdy said.
Mr McCurdy alongside Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell then unveiled the Victorian plaque, located next to the old Customs House.
The celebrations continued on the Yarrawonga Foreshore until 2pm, where a big display of vintage vehicles and tractors was on show, plus a free sausage sizzle hosted by the Rotary Club of Central Murray Sunrise.
