Spotswood’s Jude Hanson, whose grandfather Thomas Miller once owned Millers Road, will help unveil a plaque on the 40th anniversary of Altona Gate Shopping Centre.
From the late 1880s to 1950s, the shopping centre site was used for quarrying – Hobsons Bay’s first heavy industry.
Mrs Hanson’s grandfather bought farmland at the junction of Millers and Geelong roads in about 1867 and her family lived for many years in a brick home on the corner until it was acquired to widen Millers Road.
On Tuesday, Mrs Hanson – who shops at Altona Gate every Friday – will help the centre celebrate its ruby milestone by unveiling an original plaque mounted on a rock from the quarry in 1977, which will be relocated to the Millers Road entrance.
Centre manager Anna Graham said customers had the chance to win one of three rubies valued at $600 each by posting a photo on their Instagram account with #RubyBirthday @AltonaGate and a statement why they love Altona Gate.
Altona Gate was the first shopping centre in the area and the first to introduce Thursday night trading in 1985.
The unveiling on Tuesday, October 3 at 10am, followed by free coffee and cupcakes and aerial acrobatic displays at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm. On Saturday, October 7, there will be free cupcakes at 9.30am followed by entertainment and activities all day.
Details: www.altonagate.com.au
