By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Kallista, the scenic town nestled in the Dandenong Ranges, marked a significant milestone on Saturday, 29 March – the 100th anniversary of its new name from Sassafras South to Kallista – meaning “most beautiful” in Greek.
It wasn’t just a day to reflect on the town’s rich history – it was a moment to celebrate the generations of families that have made Kallista their home.
For one local family, the McAlisters, the centenary held a deeply personal significance, connecting past and present in a truly special way.
Dain Thomas McAlister, 10, and his younger brother, Theodore (Teddy) Peter McAlister, 7, had the honour of being at the heart of the celebrations – these two local boys are part of a long line of Kallista residents, and they helped mark this milestone with a role that connected them directly to the town’s history.
“It felt really special to be holding the ribbon, knowing our family has been a part of Kallista for so long,” Dain said.
“It’s nice to think that our great-great-great-grandmother was here at the very first ceremony. It makes me proud.”
At the re-enactment ceremony, Dain and Theodore played a central part in unrolling a special ribbon, which was then cut by Phil Kennon, a descendant of Mrs Elizabeth Kennon – who had cut the original ribbon back in 1925, when Kallista was first established.
The McAlister brothers are no strangers to Kallista’s history, as their great-great-great-grandmother, Frances Murray, was one of the town’s original settlers and attended that very ceremony in 1925.
Their great-great-great-uncle, Tommy McAlister, was also there as a 10-year-old child, making the two cousins the latest generation in a long line of Kallista families.
In addition to the ribbon-cutting, Dain and Theodore were also part of the fashion parade, dressed in clothes from the 1920s, and proudly representing Kallista’s heritage.
“I was very excited,” Theodore said.
“I liked wearing the [1920s] clothes, the hat was very comfy.”
They weren’t the only McAlisters involved in the day’s events – alongside them were their fourth cousins, Kate and Carolyn McAlister, who also attended Kallista Primary School, along with their brothers Mark and Andrew.
Together, the McAlisters represent six generations of involvement in Kallista’s history, which made the day all the more meaningful.
The event wasn’t just about reflecting on the past – it was also about looking to the future. Kallista’s centenary celebration was filled with a real sense of community, with locals of all ages coming together to celebrate the town’s unique history.
Margaret Brooks, a tutor at Kallista Primary, was excited to see the students take such an active part in the day’s celebrations.
“Kallista has always been about community and family,” Ms Brooks said.
“The centenary was a perfect reflection of the town’s spirit. It was about honouring the past, celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future. It’s amazing to see how Kallista continues to be a place where families, like Dain and Theodore’s, stay connected to the town for generations.”
For Dain and Theodore, it was a day that connected them not only to their family’s past but also to the town they call home.
“It felt awesome to be part of something so important,” Theodore said.
“I’ll always remember this day.”
The centenary was a reminder of how far Kallista has come, and how much it continues to mean to the families who have called it home for generations.
The McAlister brothers, along with their cousins, represent the future of Kallista while honouring the past that made the town what it is today. And with families like theirs continuing to play a key role, it’s clear that Kallista’s story is far from over.
