General News
2 February, 2025
Horsham's time capsule unveiled
A slice of Horsham’s history was unearthed this week as the Lions Club of Horsham opened the town’s treasured time capsule at Lions Park, Barnes Boulevard.
The event held on Monday, January 27, drew around 80 attendees despite soaring temperatures, reconnecting residents with messages from the past.
When the time capsule was opened, the six bags with around 100 envelopes emerged, inspiring a new generation to contribute to the town’s future legacy.
The capsule originally created in 1976 by the former Leo Club to raise funds for Wimmera River improvement projects is not an ordinary container, but a repurposed naval mine designed by Peter Creek as a globe-shaped representation of the world.
Weighing 1.5 tonnes and built by T J Pohlner Engineering, the capsule was first filed with over 300 letters in 1977 under the leadership of then-mayor Brian Brooke.
It was opened in 2000 before being resealed in 2001 by the then-mayor Bernard Gross.
Horsham Lions Club president Jeff Both, who led this year’s opening with HRCC mayor Ian Ross, described the event as a special moment for the community.
“This capsule holds decades of personal stories, aspirations, and history,” he said.
“It was wonderful to see some of the original letter writer like Alan and Margaret Woodford return to collect their messages from the past.
“The event was well received by the people.”
Among the rediscovered letters were personal notes from individuals, as well as envelopes addressed to community groups like the Country Womens Association (CWA), the Apex Club, and the Horsham Lions club.
One letter was reserved for the Horsham Rural City Council and was collected by the mayor Ian Ross.
While the crowd was smaller that the 400-strong audience who witnessed the opening in 2000, the spirit of the occasion remained strong.
Community members gathered to reminisce, collect old letters, and share a BBQ lunch hosted by the Horsham Lions Club.
As the community reflected on the past, they also looked toward the future. The Lions Club is now inviting residents to contribute new letter, which will be sealed inside the capsule for the next generation.
“If you have something to share with your future family or want to document today’s Horsham for the next generation, now is the time,” Mr Both said.
“People from all over the Wimmera are invited to submit their letters,”he said.
Residents can submit their letters until February 27, 2025. A designated collection point will be established and details will be shared via social media and local community networks.
The capsule will then be sealed on February 28, 2025 to open it again in 2050.
