Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are few towns in Australia which can celebrate 200 years since their first settlement. A few weeks ago I joined just such a celebration at Longford, a major town in the northern part of my electorate of Lyons. The Longford community and friends gathered on the village green to cut the giant birthday cake and get involved in activities appropriate for such a significant occasion. An exhibition of historic and unusual motor vehicles on the green, and displays of historic photographs and other artefacts at the school, the fire brigade, the RSL club and the local National Trust helped build the atmosphere.

The range of activities, with a historic flavour, included a novelty foot race. A number of us tried to no avail, but congratulations go to members of the Murfett family, from Longford, who collected all the winners' ribbons, presented by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Peter Underwood.

Longford was settled at the confluence of the South Esk and Lake rivers only a few years after Hobart, Australia's second oldest town, was established. Longford and the Northern Midlands were developed as the food bowl for the early colonies of New South Wales and Tasmania. As such, the area was one of Australia's most important early settlements.

There will be further 200-year birthday celebrations at the town's agricultural and pastoral show, held in October later this year. My congratulations go to the organising committee for their hard work, and in particular to their chair, Mr Jeff Carins.