Doug Crow, John Neale, Clive Toms and Chris Salter show off the town’s prized mayoral chain.
Photo by
Bree Lambert
Holding a golden link to the past, former town mayors and commissioners were beaming with smiles as they held the historic mayoral chain after its long-awaited comeback to Kyabram.
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The push to bring the chain home began weeks ago at a town dinner where former mayors gathered to speak and pressed for the return of the ceremonial regalia.
Following municipal amalgamation, the chain had ended up in Echuca and remained out of public view for years.
Former mayor Clive Toms said he had brought up the chain’s return over the years, but admitted he thought the doors were closed after many previous attempts by others to bring it home had proved unsuccessful.
Those conversations paid off on Friday, when the chain made a surprise appearance during the town's 150th Big Birthday Bash.
Kyabram Development Committee vice-president Tania Chiswell presented the chain to former mayors and commissioners Frank Findlay, Clive Toms, John Neale, Chris Salter and Doug Crow.
“Many years ago, when we went from the Town of Kyabram to the Shire of Campaspe, the mayoral chains went to the Campaspe Shire and were missing in action for a little while,” Ms Chiswell said.
Kyabram Development Committee vice-president Tania Chiswell presented the mayoral chain to Doug Crow, Frank Findlay, John Neale, Chris Salter and Clive Toms (not pictured).
Photo by
Bree Lambert
“The chain was an important part of the town’s history,” Mr Toms said.
“To me, it was symbolically important it was in Kyabram.
“It holds a lot of memories and reflections as an important part of the ceremony when inducted as mayor, with the chain placed around the neck as a symbol of authority and responsibility.”
Mr Toms said the chain did not hold the same significance on show in Echuca as it did in Kyabram.
Locals now have the chance to see the piece up close, with the chain on public display at the Kyabram Historical Society for one month, running through to Wednesday, November 25, where it will join the town’s mayoral robe and gavel.
After its month on show, the chain will briefly return to Echuca while the committee applies for grant funding to purchase a display case, so it can return home to Kyabram permanently.
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