OFFICIAL OPENING: Horsham Rural City Mayor David Grimble, Haven’s Sue Exell and former Wimmera man and Grand Prix champion Kevin Magee launch the Haven gazebo, storyboards and public toilets on Saturday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
HAVEN commemorated the fourth anniversary of Black Saturday with the launch of new public toilets, a picnic gazebo and storyboards on Saturday.
More than 100 people gathered for the official opening of the facilities the last of the area's Black Saturday bushfire appeal projects.
Previous projects included a new playground and shade sails, a new website, landscaping at Haven Hall, an electric barbecue, a book and time capsule.
Haven's Sue Exell said Horsham Rural City Mayor David Grimble spoke at the launch about council's involvement after Black Saturday.
She said she also spoke about Black Saturday and the effects on the area.
Cr Grimble launched the new facilities alongside former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer Kevin Magee.
Magee grew up in the Wimmera and rode in 36 500cc motorcycle grands prix, winning the 1988 Spanish event.
A storyboard in the gazebo tells his story. Other boards give information on Haven's history, the story of First World War soldier James Plozza and about Black Saturday.
Mrs Exell said she discovered Magee, now of Sydney, was in the area when she rang his mother and he answered.
"I thought, oh you're joking,'' she said.
"He used to ride through Mackenzie Creek and through Haven to get to Horsham - very fast and often on one wheel.''
Mrs Exell said Magee helped Cr Grimble launch the storyboards.
"It was very good of him to come down,'' she said.
Magee said he was impressed with the new facilities installed since the fires.
He said he had not expected any recognition on the storyboards.
"It's a nice surprise,'' he said.
Magee said he loved visiting Haven.
"It's a really good little country town,'' he said.
"I always enjoy my time back here. It's a good spot.''