Community comes together as Wallsend celebrates milestone moment

Picture caption: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Uncle Alex Nean and his dancers on Nelson Street for Wallsend's 150th anniversary celebration.

More than 7500 people enjoyed the sights, sounds and side shows of the family-friendly festival that helped mark the 150th anniversary of Wallsend being declared a municipality.

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Uncle Alex Nean provided a special Welcome to Country on the main stage celebrating the area’s rich Indigenous heritage, before Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes officially opened proceedings for City of Newcastle's historic event yesterday.

The large crowd was spoilt for choice throughout the celebration with a variety of entertainment on two stages, dance schools, DJs and food from around the world, including Germany, Tibet, Turkey and China.

Thirty-five local businesses embraced the opportunity to take part in the celebration, with market stalls lining Nelson Street, reminiscent of the former Wallsend Winter Fair.

The Wallsend Historical Society gave an insight into the past with guided walks, while festival goers took a step back in time thanks to historical costumes and a penny farthing demonstration.

The youngest visitors were able to choose between graffiti and street art workshops at Wallsend Park, face painting, rides, a Fire and Rescue display and a messy play session, complete with cake smashing.

When the sun went down, stories of Wallsend's rich history were projected onto buildings through a collection of photographs.

Cr Nelmes said it was important to celebrate Wallsend's major role in the development and growth of Newcastle.

"Wallsend started as a mining colony with some of the best coal in Australia and has emerged as a multicultural hub that attracts families from all over the world," Cr Nelmes said.

"City of Newcastle ensured Wallsend was ready to mark this significant milestone with extensive road resurfacing on Nelson Street, as well as a pressure cleaning campaign on the footpaths and around the 136-year-old rotunda.

“It was fantastic to see so many members of our community and business owners join together yesterday to mark this significant milestone acknowledging Wallsend’s history, which stretches back tens of thousands of years and includes being declared a municipality in 1874.”

The 150th anniversary event was supported through the NSW Government's Vibrant Streets Program.