Search continues for capsule history sources

The search continues for more sources of South Gippsland history enclosed in envelopes in a time capsule buried in Foster on June 23, 1977.

The capsule was ceremoniously interred by the then Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Winneke and Lady Winneke outside the then Shire of South Gippsland offices in Pioneer Street.

It will be dug up and opened on January 25, 2020, as one of the many highlights of the Foster community’s coming sesquicentennial celebrations.

The Foster 150 committee has been appealing for information about the 249 people, families, groups, clubs, organisations and services that contributed to the contents of the capsule almost 42 years ago.

The capsule project was jointly developed by the South Gippsland Shire Historical Society as it was known, together with the Foster and District High School and the Foster Rotary Club.

The district was invited to provide all manner of historically relevant documents, letters, photographs, articles and memoirs chronicling local life in 1977, along with reminiscences of the previous 107 years since the founding of Foster in 1870.

The June 29, 1977 edition of The Mirror featured an article by journalist Geoff Esler who wrote, “the information contained in the envelopes in the capsule should assist in recording factual history being made today, as well as in years gone by.”

Mr Esler went on to state that, “Many of the letters contained personal family details, and have been addressed to descendants of our residents. Some people wrote letters to themselves, hoping to still be alive and fit when the capsule is opened.”

At the original capsule event in 1977, the then Shire President Cr Tom Morgan was reported as saying that he was honoured that the Vice-Regal couple were present, but he himself did, “not expect to be around when it is dug up 43 years hence.”

Sir Henry, on the other hand, said; “Your shire president is a pessimist. He is sure he won’t be here when the capsule is raised but I certainly will be (I’ll be only 111 then) and expect to be invited back to officiate at the ceremony!”

For more information about the Foster 150 event in January 2020, and to provide details about the time capsule’s contents, please contact Prue Fleming on 5682 2701, 0418 775 717, or email [email protected]

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