By Melissa Grant
THE Pakenham Show has been an institution for 98 years – and the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette has been there every step of the way.
The Star News Group publication celebrates its 100th birthday this year, having begun two years before the society was formed.
Pakenham Show Society president Gavan Bourke presented a plaque to Star News Group proprietors Ian and Dorothy Thomas on Saturday to acknowledge the Gazette’s centenary and its contribution to the show.
Albert Edward, the founder of the Gazette, his son Herb and now his grandson Ian have all been named life members of the Pakenham Show Society.
Mr Bourke, a member of the Pakenham Show society for 60 years, said it was great to see the Thomas family on the concourse on Saturday.
“They have always been in it,” he said.
“Ian’s grandfather (Albert) was secretary for many, many years.”
Ian still contributes to the society, although Mr Bourke has put him on light duties.
Ian suffered a serious cardiac arrest while having a cup of tea after a long day working at the 2006 Pakenham Show.
Show committee members Harry Maas and David Harrison brought Ian back from the brink by immediately performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Mr Bourke still vividly remembers the incident. “I was sitting next to him when he dived on the floor,” he remembered. Ian said Saturday’s presentation was fitting, but unexpected.
“It was a total surprise but a very nice acknowledgement and I’m proud of the fact that, as a family, we’ve been able to support the society for all those years,” he said.
