It's been almost 200 years since an exploration party led by John Howe and including two Aboriginal guides, Myles and Mullaboy, as well as Benjamin Singleton, came upon the Hunter River at Whittingham, proclaiming the area to be "as fine a country as imagination can form". The date was March 15, 1820, and the area was named St Patricks Plains because of the proximity to St Patricks Day.
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Singleton Council is now encouraging individuals, groups, organisations and businesses to get involved in the commemorations known as Back to Singleton 2020.
Back to Singleton 2020 is a whole-of-community commemoration focusing on the history of St Patricks Plains as well as what people love about Singleton.
The official weekend of events will be held on Friday 13 and Saturday March 14 2020, with planning in progress for a community party on Friday night and a community festival on Saturday afternoon. A formal event will be held in the Singleton Civic Centre on Saturday night.
Mayor of Singleton and chair of the working group, Cr Sue Moore said the vision was for a program of events over the weekend of March 13 - 15 and throughout the year. A Back to Singleton 2020 event prospectus is available to assist those interested in planning their own events.
"We're looking to sporting clubs to host a home game or preseason match that weekend, or your community organisation to hold a concert, a reunion or a historical display," Cr Moore said.
"We'd also love pubs and clubs to think about a historical theme for their entertainment, or to organise a special menu or event to reflect on the history of Singleton and the opportunities for the future.
"You could focus on any historical era, century or decade related to the Aboriginal or European inhabitation of Singleton."
Cr Moore said the commemorations were designed to bring people from all cultures together to mark the significance of the Singleton local government area to Aboriginal and European settlements, and its continued historical and economic importance to NSW.
"With less than a year to go, we're encouraging all community groups, venues and businesses to start planning for Back to Singleton 2020," she said.
"And let us know at Council so we can include it in our event program and promotion, so that people can start planning their weekend - and indeed their year - of commemorations to include a trip back to Singleton."
The Back to Singleton 2020 event prospectus is available at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au or call: 6578 7290 for a hard copy.
Expressions of Interest close on October 31 for inclusion on the official Event Program.
