On 22 October 1996, the Town of Port Hedland celebrated its official Centenary. Situated in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Port Hedland is the World’s biggest iron ore port and is rich in mineral resources including salt, gold and magnesium.
While the town experiences extreme temperatures, its 69 different ethnic communities add much to the town, particularly in coordinating events of special significance. The Centenary Year commenced with the Patron, the Premier of Western Australia, launching celebrations at an official Civic dinner in April.
On 22 October, the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC, MC, officiated at the Official 100 Year Day on the Town Oval and later at a special Governor’s Luncheon. With the Centenary Committee preparing since 1993, the year long program included 150 individual events.
While the year proved to hold significance for locals, past residents and tourists, specific projects and events included a glass art mural detailing the district’s progress 1896-1996, production and painting of some 250 banners for street display and Centenary promotions and a Centennial quilt consisting of 100 individual patchworks highlighting the district’s resources and services.
Other projects included the following.
- Recordings of 100 Voices of current and past residents of early days are available for purchase and were used as stories of interest via the ABC.
- Sale of 100 sets of special Centenary number plates which yielded $42,000.
- Re enactment of Cossack to Port Hedland Camel & Horse Ride – five days.
- Re enactment of plotting original Lot 1 by Consulting Surveyors Group of WA.
- North West Beef Expo – Camp Drafting/Bull judging – included seminar for visiting international buyers.
All school children were presented with a special Centenary Medallion and every baby born and preschool children received a Centenary Certificate. A 40 page Centenary Newspaper was also printed for the Centenary Launch.
