Mantung marks 100 years

The town of Mantung recently celebrated its centenary with a reunion on the October long weekend.

While the event was held at Mantung, organiser Mick Evans said it served as a chance for people with links to the region to get together and reminisce.

Mantung, along with other towns in the region such as Maggea, Mercuna and Galga, was established after the railway line was built between Karoonda and Waikerie.

The organisers estimate more than 300 people came along to the event, taking the opportunity to catch up.

"There were lots of former residents and some who had family from the area," Mick said.

"A lot of people commented saying they were thankful we didn't plan too much as it allowed a lot of time for catching up and reminiscing over good times."

Mick said the idea for the reunion came about four years ago, following a family reunion of the Evans, one of the first families in the region.

"My great-grandfather wasn't the earliest here, but my family have lived here for 104 years," he said.

"He had six boys and two girls and all the brothers have some descendants in the region now.

"Our family has strong ties but there are also strong ties with some other early families in the region.

"It made it a bit easier to kick this off."

Also making it easier was a newsletter started after the Evans' family reunion that has expanded to include the region.

"We keep in touch through the newsletter," Mick said.

It also followed on from a gathering of the United Football Club, that formerly played on the Mercunda and Mantung Ovals, held last year.

As part of the celebrations for the reunion, organisers put together a centenary walk through the town, with plaques installed on places of significance to the region, including the original post office and railway line.

In its boom in the 1930s, the community of Mantung had a bakery, boarding houses and shops, with a train coming through every day.

* Full report in Stock Journal, October 16, 2014 issue.