That New Year’s Eve when we were all nervous the Y2K bug was going to take us out once the clock struck midnight was a quarter of a century ago.
To some, that might feel like yesterday, but a time capsule that was filled and sealed in January 2000 is sure to reveal that a lot can change in two and a half decades when it is opened at Shepparton Heritage Centre this weekend.
The initiative captured a snapshot of community life at the turn of the millennium, with 592 individual messages on slips that contributors had purchased for $1 each, along with audio recordings (on cassette tapes), photographs and documents.
The contributions consist of many from Goulburn Valley residents, but also from Melbourne, Sydney and other places in Australia.
“The contents of the capsule represent a diverse range of voices, memories, reflections, and hopes for the future, offering a valuable insight into the spirit of the community in the year 2000,” Shepparton Heritage Centre executive officer Kristy Rudd said.
After it was sealed, the time capsule was put on display inside the museum, where it has remained for the past 25 years.
This weekend, it will be opened for the first time, allowing the public to revisit the stories, sentiments and snapshots of life from another era.
In 2000, Australians were eagerly anticipating the Sydney Olympics, awaiting the premiere of Russell Crowe’s Gladiator, and possibly didn’t realise there was USB flash drive technology just around the corner they could have stored their audio, imagery and documents on for their time capsule contributions.
Worldwide, it was the year that Britney released Oops!... I Did It Again, Vladimir Putin became the president of Russia, and, sadly, 113 people died in Paris in an Air France Concorde crash that signalled the end for that kind of aircraft.
If you need even more convincing that 25 years is a long time, you can head to the unveiling at Shepparton Heritage Centre on Saturday, August 2, where the capsule will be opened at 2pm, and take a look at the past as it’s extracted.
Afternoon tea will be provided.
“Following the unveiling, the capsule will be resealed and scheduled for reopening in 2050, marking 50 years since it was first created,” Mrs Rudd said.
“This event not only honours the legacy of those who contributed in 2000, but also provides a meaningful opportunity for current generations to reflect on the past, celebrate community continuity, and consider what messages we might pass on to the future.”
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