In May 2001, a time capsule was sealed and buried outside the Cowes Cultural Centre as part of the island’s Centenary of Federation celebrations.
It lies beneath an inscribed granite rock, close to the Thompson Avenue/Church Street intersection, on which are instructions for it to be opened one hundred years later, in May 2101.
It is filled with information, books, paintings, letters and objects that our successors, future islanders, will hopefully find interesting at that time.
However, 23 years prior to that date, a time capsule was also buried by the Phillip Island Shire Council to mark the opening of the Phillip Island Civic Centre (now known as the Cowes Cultural Centre) by Victorian Premier Dick Hamer back in December 1978.
The opening was a grand affair, to which the entire community was invited. The Cowes Primary school children formed a guard of honour to welcome Mr Hamer.
Demolition of that building has evoked so many memories in recent weeks.
And it has led to Stan Gates, a councillor of the day, querying what happened to that capsule, and seeking to have it dug it up for reburial while it can still be located.
However, although many who worked at the shire offices at the time have been contacted, while most remember a capsule was buried at the time, no-one can recall where. Joy Niven has also been on the hunt, speaking to numerous people who may have an idea.
But no luck to date.
A theory emerging is that the 1978 capsule may have been dug up and buried with the Federation equivalent, but in fact there appears to be no record that this occurred.
Was it placed under the plaque recording the occasion? It appears not.
An island with a fountain was constructed at a later time between the main building and the Heritage Centre, commemorating Phillip Island’s volunteer ambulance drivers. Was the capsule a casualty of that construction? Some have a hazy memory that it may have been buried “over there.”
Former staff members and Stan Gates recall a large rock with an inscription was placed over the capsule at the time. Just where remains a mystery.
If anyone in the community can recall the plaque, and better still, its location, please contact the Advertiser on 5952 3201 and we will pass the message on.