On 14 January 1876 Collingwood was proclaimed a City, thus becoming the fourth city in Victoria. It had started as a Municipal District in 1855, become a Borough and later a Town, before, having reached a municipal revenue of over £20,000, it was entitled to petition for an elevation in rank.
A celebration was planned for 21 March, which the Mayor asked inhabitants to observe as a public holiday. In the morning children proceeded along the streets to the municipal chambers in Johnston Street. By 11 am 5,000 children were gathered with their parents and teachers and a procession made its way to Dights Paddock, led by the East Collingwood Rifles band, the Mayor, Councillors and officials, and the City of Collingwood Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Blind Asylum brass band and the drum and fife band of St Francis’ school added to the carnival atmosphere as did flags and banners. The procession extended more than a mile and a half and eventually about 10,000 people gathered at Dight’s Paddock where festivities continued until sunset.
Children’s games included cricket, rounders, kiss-in-the-ring, swings, chevy-chase, football, and forfeits. There was ‘a little dancing for the elders.’ There were swings, a continuous Punch and Judy show, races for girls and or boys, merry-go-rounds, Aunt Sallys, a stilt race, displays of English, Scotch and Irish dancing, and a cobbler’s dance. There was even a best baby competition. The race that occasioned considerable entertainment was one for councillors. Apparently the Mayor, Cr Morgan, and many of the councillors, were rather stout. Crs Dehnert and Holland were the only credible competitors.
Volunteers and teachers were kept busy distributing refreshments to the youngsters. Supplies comprised 1000 lb. of bread, 500 lb. of meat, 10 casks of biscuits, 6,000 buns, 5,000 tarts and meat pies, besides immense quantities of plum and seed cake, fruit and lollies. There were also 300 gallons of ginger beer, and tea ad libitum, a very large copper on a specially built platform being kept boiling from noon until evening.
Extensive articles appeared in the Weekly Times
and the Illustrated Australian News (if only this had included illustrations!)
The Fitzroy Mercury also carried an article though its sometimes sarcastic and critical tone perhaps reflects the antagonism between the two districts rather than the reality of what appears to have been a grand success. However his implication that distributing refreshments to the children may have turned into a bunfight is plausible.
One can’t help but wonder: is it possible that this is the sort of entertainment that Collingwood children might be able to enjoy in 2026, now that they will not be glued to their social media devices?