1969 was an eventful year. In space, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.
On Earth, more than 100 nations signed the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. In Australia, Cate Blanchett and Shane Warne were born. In Anglesea, on April 27, Angair began.
On that day, art teacher Edith Lawn arranged a public meeting in the Anglesea Memorial Hall to establish a society to protect the local flora and fauna. Spurred on by discovering that her earlier innocent picking of orchids for an art exercise was illegal, Edith realised that public ignorance posed a powerful threat to the natural wonders of the area.
This year Angair is celebrating Edith Lawn’s foresight and the constant dedication of the members who have grown the society from its humble beginnings to an organisation that claims significant contributions to educating about, and protecting, our environment.
1991 Angair tollgate raising funds to save O’Donohue land from residential development
The main event in the celebrations is the annual dinner on April 27 which will see the launch of Ros Gibson’s comprehensive history, Angair: the first 50 years. (Booking details). Part of the first Get To Know Your Tracks in 1996 along the Denham Track will be revisited in late April and a Then and Now photographic exhibition will be mounted later in the year and a weekend of local native gardens held on October 19/20. Other events are being planned—so keep a sharp eye on the Angair Newsletter for details.
The additional expenses of our Golden Anniversary will be met by this year’s donations from members and grants from sponsors such as the Bendigo Bank.