A HOST of commemorative activities are being planned for Stroud’s 200th birthday celebrations in November.
Settled less than 40 years after Sydney Cove, Stroud’s long history has been preserved and researched by the Stroud Historical Society, members of which hosted a special meeting at the Stroud Country Club on Wednesday 22 April.
A range of bicentenary celebrations are planned between Friday 20 and Sunday 29 November 2026.
“We are building the schedule to be a journey over the 10 days in November, starting with an opening ceremony that tells the story of Australian Agricultural Company Chief Agent Robert Dawson and his party traveling up the Karuah River from Tahlee, to find better land for the company’s activities,” explained Stroud local Veronica Frost.
“Dawson apparently had 13 children, so some of his many descendants will be tracked down and invited.”
The schedule includes heritage walks, historical plays, tours, bush dances, films, monastery open days, late night shopping, a history-themed trivia night, a poetry and open mic night, and more.
One of the hallmark events will be a new historical play, “Stroud 1826”, based on the journey of Dawson and his group to find the beautiful Stroud valley.
“Young people especially should see this,” said Anne Frost from the organising team.
“I’ve learnt so much in researching for this play, and young people should know that Stroud has an important place in our country’s history.”
Another highlight is the planned Art Trail.
“The Art Trail will be a very special piece of art itself, over several different locations, and the whole event is meant to be a culmination of all the things Stroud means to us,” added Veronica.
Local clubs and schools are already involved, with community members of all ages encouraged to take part.
“This is Stroud’s event,” said Eamonn Donohoe from the Historical Society.
“We are hoping everyone will get involved, as this will only succeed if we get the community behind it.”
One significant event will be the honouring of a historic Indigenous person from the local area.
“One group of locals has been hard at work locating a historical Indigenous figure who was buried somewhere in St John’s Anglican Church graveyard, his exact location lost due to prevailing prejudices of the time,” Anne Frost said.
A debutante ball has also been planned, to be run by St John’s Anglican Church.
Seven debutantes have already been found, with organisers looking for more.
More than 40 locals attended the first planning gathering at the Stroud Country Club, highlighting the level of community interest.
The Society has already applied for several grants at local, state and federal levels, and will be working out ways to rally sponsors, including ‘in kind’ deals with regional media companies and local businesses.
There is even a rumour that a local distillery may be producing a limited edition product for the occasion.
The Society acknowledges that accommodation will be a significant hurdle during the late-November event, and is asking locals to consider billeting or opening their properties to campers, as well as running buses out to accommodation closer to the Pacific highway or nearby townships.
More information can be found at the Stroud 200 website: https://stroudhistoricalsociety.com/stroud-200/.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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