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Sesquicentenary

The 150th anniversary of European settlement in Victoria was commemorated in 1984 and 1985. The theme of the celebrations, 'Growing Together', was promoted by the State Government's 150th Committee, which distributed grants to each municipality and encouraged sesquicentenary projects with a high level of community participation. In a year of special events, Swanston Street became a garden for a weekend party attended by half a million people. Museums and art galleries held historical exhibitions; the Living Museum of the West was founded; bronze plaques honoured prominent Victorians, including Billibellari and Vida Goldstein; a bicycle path was built along the Merri Creek; special sporting events and street parties were held, and the lights were turned on at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Elizabeth Willis