Hopetoun and Beulah reunion plans in full swing for 2026

ORGANISERS of a long-running reunion of former residents of Beulah and Hopetoun are gearing up for their next annual event.

The Hopetoun Beulah Reunion is scheduled for Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March in Hopetoun, with past residents of the southern Mallee townships from throughout Victoria expected to attend.

Committee member Steve Haynes said it would be “a weekend of laughter, good cheer and lots of reminiscing”.

“The weekend activities will commence with a social get-together at the Community Hotel on Saturday evening,” Mr Haynes said.

“For most it will be a counter tea followed by an informal catch-up.

“If we go by last year, many current residents will also be in attendance, so if you are able to arrive on the Saturday, I highly recommend joining us at the hotel.”

The reunion started in the Flagstaff Gardens in Melbourne in 1957 and many years later relocated to Ballarat to be more central.

Various Ballarat venues were used over the years before it moved to Hopetoun for 2025.

The formal part of the 2026 reunion will take place on the Sunday, with screenings of old eight-millimetre films featuring social events from the 1950s and 1970s that have been recalibrated by the local historical society. Lunch will be at 12pm, which Mr Haynes said would be BYO.

“There are several outlets in Hopetoun that will have takeaway food available,” he said.

“The list has been previously published and will again be advised closer to the date.”

The event’s guest speaker, Michael Gooch, is scheduled to make his appearance at 12.30pm when he will discuss his Explore the Mallee tourism business based near Patchewollock.

Mr Haynes said the reunion’s annual general meeting will take place at 1pm.

“[It’s] the reason we go back to this particular part of the world,” he said.

“The main business is the election of office bearers and deciding the venue for the 2027 reunion.”

Mr Haynes said the reunion was funded purely through donations, and a collection box will be set up on the day for contributions.

“At 3pm the old movies will again be screened for attendees who are able to stay and enjoy,” he said.

Mr Haynes said with people travelling from throughout Victoria, organisers were hoping that many would be able to stay overnight.

“Accommodation options have previously been listed on Facebook sites and emails distributed to previous attendees,” he said.

But he said anyone needing help could contact Brian and Shirley Decker on 0409 833 857, Cath Taylor on 0407 854 125, or himself on 0409 811 268.