General News
23 April, 2025
Son returns to Rainbow to tribute late father
Michael Pentreath returned to Rainbow on Thursday, April 10, to mark what would have been his father Harvey Pentreath’s 100th birthday.
Michael visited his father’s grave at Rainbow Cemetery to pay his respects, joined by his wife, three of his four daughters, and several grandchildren.
Harvey Pentreath, born in 1925, died at the age of 84.
Michael, who now lives in Bendigo, said the visit was both a moment of reflection and a homecoming.
“I’m here to visit my father’s grave,” he said.
“It would be his 100th birthday today, if he was still alive, so we came to pay our respects.”
Michael spent his childhood in Rainbow before leaving at 17 to study pharmacy.
He went on to work in the field for more than forty years, including twenty years running a pharmacy in Nyah West and later in Bendigo.
“I grew up in Rainbow, my mother’s family were all from here, and I loved Rainbow,” he said.
“It was a beautiful place and I loved living here.
“I brought my kids up in small country towns because of the upbringing I received here.
During his visit, Michael shared fond memories of the town, particularly summers spent at the local pool and the vibrancy of Rainbow’s business strip in earlier decades.
He recalled diving boards at the pool, multiple hotels and banks, and shops that have either disappeared or changed hands over the years.
“Pasco’s hasn’t changed at all — it’s still Pasco’s,” he said.
Though retired for three years now, Michael’s ties to Rainbow remain strong.
He said the visit reminded him of a simpler time, and he’s grateful for the foundation it gave him.
“Rainbow was a great place to grow up, so much so that I wanted my children to grow up in a small country town,” he said.