A FULL house at historic Overnewton Castle made for a grand finale to Keilor’s 150th anniversary commemorations at the home built by the “father of Keilor”, William Taylor.
A special guest at last weekend’s event, hosted by Keilor Historical Society president Susan Jennison, was Taylor’s granddaughter Joan McKenzie.
Keilor was officially listed in Victorian statutes as a district roads board on March 3, 1863, after a meeting at the Waggoners Arms Hotel late the previous year.
The original council consisted of nine local men and was chaired by Taylor, who held 23 civic positions over a 40-year association with municipal government in Keilor.
The 150th celebrations will continue to be held on milestone dates throughout this year.
Ms Jennison says the historical society is keen to create a permanent historical record in the town centre as one of its major projects for 2013. It also plans to launch an archaeological study of the old Keilor police station.
—Helen Grimaux
