FOR 100 years the pipe organ at Stawell's Uniting Church has brought joy and pleasure to many worshippers and the wider community.
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Groups of parishioners of the church have dedicated their time in ensuring the organ was maintained and serviced - resulting in the instrument still being able to be played to this day.
The organ has undergone a major overhaul in its 100th anniversary year with a new humidifier, which hasn't worked for years, being fitted. The costs to repair and maintain the organ was decided to go ahead to honour the organ's magnificent history.
Celebrations to mark the special occasion are in place for Sunday June 27.
A church service at 10am will be followed by a luncheon. After lunch at 1.30pm an organ recital will conclude the celebrations with Scott Harrison, a talented internationally travelled organist to lead the performance.
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The church has welcomed everyone to come and experience the sounds of the organ, a gem you could say in the heart of Stawell.
Elva Raggatt said the church council had been contemplating about what celebration could be hosted for some time.
"The organ makes the singing very encouraging," she said.
"To think all those years ago they made this decision and raised so many funds to put the organ in.
"The celebration is part of recognising the contributions of those who put in 100 years ago."
It started as a suggestion
ON July 23, 1919, Rev. Matthew made a suggestion that something should be done to suitably recognise God's goodness in bringing success to the Allied cause in World War I.
The imagination of the church people was fired and it was declared that the memorial should be a pipe organ.
The cost of the pipe organ was set at 1000 pounds.
A Thanksgiving Appeal was launched to raise funds for the organ and it proved highly successful.
In a book written for the church's centenary celebrations, it was noted: "There was hardly anyone actively associated with the church that did not give according to his or her means."
In building the pipe organ, construction changes to the building were necessary to accommodate the instrument.
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