Preparations are under way to open the Hobsons Bay time capsule buried 25 years ago at the pinnacle of Truganina Park.
Messages from over 12,000 people lie beneath the enigmatic Time Beacon sculpture created by artist Cameron Robbins. The project was a collaboration between Altona City Rotary Club, Altona City Rotaract Club and Hobsons Bay Council. Engaging the entire municipality, it strengthened multicultural community ties and encouraged a sense of belonging to the city’s history.
The capsule was buried in a 12-tonne concrete vault on Australia Day 2000 and inaugurated by then Hobsons Bay Mayor Dick Murdoch. The messages were largely from children from 32 local primary and high schools. Following the theme ‘For the Future’ they were prompted to write their impressions of some aspect of their lives.
“The project had a strong youth focus, and is a legacy for them,” said Leonie Duane, then president of Altona City Rotaract Club.
Money raised funded an achievement award for young people living in the area. The three recipients received $1000 each to pursue excellence in their respective fields.
For a quarter of a century, the time capsule resided beneath land with sweeping views spanning Melbourne city, Port Phillip Bay, Cheetham Wetlands and the You Yangs. After retrieval in December, their messages will proffer insights for current generations.
Learn more about the Hobsons Bay Time Capsule project at a special Australia Day 2025 event at Central Square in Altona Meadows featuring time capsule displays, live music and great family activities.
Former students’ messages will be returned to Hobsons Bay schools early in the 2025 school year and they’ll arrange their return to alumni. Later in 2025, Rotary will organise a curated display of donated messages on the Hobsons Bay City Council civic centre foyer gallery. For more information visit www.altonacityrotary.org.au/timecapsule.
This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program
