Concerts, murals, dinners planned for Shire of Ashburton 50th birthday

From murals, festivals and a long table dinner, the Shire of Ashburton is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its milestone 50th birthday.

At the March 3 council meeting councillors endorsed a plan to host a series of flagship events in Onslow, Tom Price, Pannawonica and Paraburdoo.

As part of the motion, murals will be created in Pannawonica and Onslow, a long table dinner will be held in Tom Price before a community concert and an outdoor event in Onslow.

The item also included the Shire investigating a project to upgrade parks in Onslow, Tom Price and Pannawonica.

Shire president Kerry White said the council would support a program of events across the region to celebrate the occasion.

“The Shire was formed through the amalgamation of the original Shire of Ashburton and Shire of Tableland in 1972,” she said.

Ms White said new LGA was originally named the Shire of West Pilbara, but reverted back to the Ashburton name in 1987.

“Ashburton has a long history and a rich and varied heritage, from its roots in agriculture and pearling, fishing and Indigenous heritage and driving force of the resources industry in the Pilbara,” she said.

“To mark this occasion, the Shire will host flagship events in Pannawonica, Paraburdoo, Onslow, and Tom Price that bring together the wider district by tailoring experiences that reflect and showcase the unique and vibrant communities that live here.

“Events will range from community concerts and family friendly barbecue events, art installations and the creation of parks in a day at identified locations.”

Ms White said a complete line-up of events would be announced in the coming weeks.