A fresh autumn breeze met assembled guests at the Eden flag mast’s 25th birthday celebrations on Tuesday morning, March 13.
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Guests gathered near the flag mast to usher in its 25th year with some birthday cake and the exchanging of stories.
As the mast’s flags unfurled in the breeze, volunteer flag monitor Jack Dickenson spoke fondly about the mast’s history and how it came to be.
On March 13, 1993, the first flag was raised on the mast that would become an iconic part of the Eden streetscape and an essential marker of home for many Eden residents.
Curator of the Eden Killer Whale Museum Jody White was on hand to celebrate but also to record the birthday celebrations which will form part of the museum’s living history of Eden.
“The flag mast is a wonderful example of reusing items of historical value for a new purpose.
“Once used at Eden’s Pilot Station, it continues its long tradition of signalling to locals and tourists alike,” she said.
Long-standing flag monitor Robert Whiter reflected on some of the challenges and triumphs that were part of his role for the last 25 years.
“It is not as hard now as it was in the early days. We used to have to put the flags up every morning and take them down every afternoon before nightfall,” Mr Whiter said.
The daughter of Eden’s last harbour master, Sue Williamson, and Eden resident Neil Rankin cut the birthday cake that was prepared by members of the Friends of the Killer Whale Museum committee.
Ms Williamson said that this was an important event for her and her family.
“It means a lot to me,” she said. “I look at it [the flag mast] and think of home.”