A PROUD 200-year town history was yesterday recognised at Longford's Victoria Square as a giant bi-centenary cake, traditional music and vintage cars welcomed celebrants to its grassy bounds.
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Outstanding sporting achievements from its past and present residents, significant milestones in the state's development and Longford's present role as a historic town were hailed by a string of well-known personalities.
Tasmania Governor Peter Underwood, media personality Neil Kearney and Northern Midlands Mayor Kim Polley were just some of the many identities to pay their dues to the town.
An entertaining speech from Governor Underwood, including early hecklings at public openings, a nod to high-visibility vest donning Dick Adams and the beauty of McKinnon's Hill, opened the celebrations at 11am.
Midlands farmers were doing it tough 200 years ago, it seems ``nothing changes'' according to Governor Underwood.
He said a letter written in 1843 by residents of Longford to Lieutenant Governor John Eardley-Wilmot outlined a low state of agricultural and commercial prospects, and a sense of community distress.
The letter concluded with words of faith in ``the wisdom and discretion of the government'' from residents, hopeful of legislative and material support, Governor Underwood said.
``Here we are in the middle of an election campaign,'' he said.
``But, so far, has anyone heard anybody use either the word `wisdom' or the word `discretion' in conjunction with the word government?''
Governor Underwood said although some things had changed, the town's beauty, tranquility, close community and warmth had not changed a whit in two centuries.