Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor Louise Bannister has announced the name of the Agricultural Pavilion at Kings Park.
Joined by councillors Rhonda Sanderson and Fiona Stevens, along with Agricultural Society, Kings Park Committee, and family members, the ‘Fred Grimwade Pavilion’ plaque will now hang proudly at the venue.
Named after the late Fred Grimwade (1933-1989), who contributed significantly to both the local community and state during his lifetime, the pavilion will seek to honour Mr Grimwade and continue his life’s agricultural ambitions and offerings.
Such offerings included serving on the council of the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society (SAPS) for more than 25 years, serving as a Pyalong Shire Councillor from 1961-1980, representing the area in the Victorian Parliament from 1967-1987, and serving as President of the Legislative Council from 1979-1985.
One of the oldest local community-based organisations in Seymour, and one of the oldest operating agricultural societies in Australia, the SAPS is celebrating its 166th year of operation, with the new name warmly welcomed by President Vivian Beaumont.
The plaque was made possible thanks to a joint effort between the Shire and Federal Government, with four generations of the Grimwades attending the event to see its unveiling: widow Joan Grimwade, her eldest son Martin and his wife Jane, and Ms Grimwade’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ms Grimwade offered many thanks to the Shire and the SAPS, extending her gratitude in particular to former Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum and councillors Ms Sanderson, Ms Stevens, and Mr Chisholm for a project delivered both on time and on budget.
