A small group of respected and longtime residents of The Basin attended a special morning tea on Monday 13 November to celebrate The Basin Time Capsule being on public display in its permanent home at The Basin Community House.
Those in attendance included Rick Coxhill and his wife, who is author of Fire on the Hill Flowers in the Valley, Barbara Stephens and Ray Peace of Knox Historical Society, Allan Small, with over 50 years of volunteer service in The Basin CFA and Jude Dwight former deputy mayor, now mayor of Knox City Council.
Others included Heather McTaggert manager of The Basin Community House, Pat Hetrel, Bruce Chandler and Caroline Chandler, Lyn Grant
Lynette Hayhurst, who discovered the lost time capsule, covered the amazing story behind The Basin Time Capsule.
The capsule was originally planted in 1967 and meant to be opened in 2017.
Ms Hayhurst told how time and people’s memories had forgotten the time capsule and that it remained unopened, until she read Rick Coxhill’s book during the lockdowns mentioning this time capsule.
After much research she was able to prove its existence and location inside the Bert Chandler cairn in 2022, which was followed by a community picnic displaying the capsule and its contents.
It took long hours on two separate evenings for the time capsule to be recovered which was composed of a milk bottle and foil covering the opening.
Naturally over time the contents became wet and soggy fitting into the palm of Rick Coxhill’s hand.
The contents were restored by Lyn Grant, a retired Monash University archivist, and will be on display in the special glass cabinet donated by Kyle Bell of Barry Plant Boronia, who also attended.
A new time capsule will be installed in the glass cabinet soon and to be opened in 2042 which is the 175th anniversary of The Basin.
Speeches were delivered by Rick Coxhill, Jude Dwight and Lynette Hayhurst at the morning tea held earlier this month, sharing the testament that is The Basin’s rich heritage.
Former mayor Jude Dwight said this cairn provides a strong sense of unity that binds us together.
“As both the Deputy Mayor and Ward Councillor, I am honoured to celebrate this milestone with you, one that helps connect stories of our past with our present.
“The items unearthed from the cairn serve as a reminder of the generations that came before us, their dreams, aspirations, and the foundations they laid for our community.
“This display is not just a collection of artefacts; it’s a window into our shared history, a tangible link to our roots.
“Let us cherish and preserve this heritage, ensuring that the stories of those who shaped our town continue to inspire and guide us into a promising future,” she said.
Ms Hayhurst offered a thank you to everyone involved in this project, and to the local community members for their enduring support and enthusiasm.
“Together, let us embrace our past, celebrate our present, and build a legacy that will inspire generations to come,” she said.
John Mortimore was unable to attend but sent a wonderful message.
“While time capsules are uncommon in this mega recorded era, they continue to provide a dynamic and entertaining bridge between the present and the past from which we grew… providing a nuanced and tolerant view of the world and our place in it, reflected in our love for our community,” he said.
