By Casey Neill
Celebrations for Dandenong Market’s 150th year kicked off with a launch for a 20-metre mural and a book rich with history.
The produce hub’s doors first opened for trade on 10 October in 1866.
Author Michael Schmith has captured its evolution over the years since in Dandenong Market: Celebrating 150 Years, launched on Tuesday 13 September.
He had just six weeks to prepare the 128-page hard cover book, which features original photographs and historical records.
“The best thing was to come to the market and talk to the people who matter the most, and the people who matter the most in the market are the traders and the customers,” he said.
“You see how it works and you see this whole spirit of community which, like its produce, is fresh daily.
“It depends on people. It’s not a supermarket. It’s not a shopping mall.
“It’s got give and take and a community spirit that’s unquenchable.”
A 20-metre photographic mural and a new name for the laneway it adorns – Rosling Lane – were also unveiled at the event.
The name pays tribute to an auctioneer from the market’s early days, Thomas Rosling.
Judy Legg and daughter Michelle Davidson were in attendance, and appear on the mural in a larger-than-life photograph of their 1970s trip to the market.
Judy can’t remember the snap being taken, and Michelle marvelled at how the market had changed “since the old days when the stalls were little carts”.
One of the market’s newest traders Melina’s Bakery and Larder created a 1.5 metre cake for the occasion, decorated with market produce miniatures.
Celebrations will continue on Sunday 16 October with the Dandenong Market 150th Jubilee.
A bronze sculpture reflecting life in the market will be unveiled on Friday 4 November.
The Dandenong Market: Celebrating 150 Years book will be available from the Dandenong Market management office for $30 from Saturday 1 October.
