Maitland’s bicentenary should be celebrated, the city’s leaders say.
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But first, they need to settle the question of when that 200 years began.
Cr Philip Penfold raised this issue at this week’s council meeting when he asked the city’s experts to look into when it would be appropriate for Maitland to celebrate its 200 year anniversary.
He said he would like to see a year of community activities planned for the town’s anniversary.
Other towns, such as Bathurst, have recently held successful bicentenary celebrations with the support of businesses and their communities.
Two Maitland historians independently agreed that the city’s bicentenary should be measured from October, 1818, when the Mercury asked for their opinions yesterday.
Mercury columnist Peter Bogan said the first permanent European settlers arrived in what is now Maitland in October 1818 after they were granted land from Governor Macquarie for good behaviour as prisoners.
Before that, he said European settlement had been itinerant in the area and consisted mainly of convicts who were sent from Newcastle to cut timber in the region from 1812.\
Maitland and District Historical Society secretary Kevin Short also said that 2018 should mark Maitland’s bicentenary. He said 11 convicts, including Molly Morgan and John Smith, became the first permanent European settlers in the area that year.
Councillors want a working party to be formed after Maitland’s bicentenary year is officially identified so plans for a celebration can begin.
“We need the right people to come together to drive this,” Cr Penfold said at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“I’m not asking for a commitment from council’s events budget, but we need to take this first step and see where this takes us.”
However, Cr Loretta Baker said that any celebrations should be organised in a way that was inclusive and sensitive to Maitland’s Aboriginal residents.
“Certainly, a lot of discussion is needed,” she said.
