Mrs Brennan, who took part in the parade, said it would be a real shame if such an event was not organised for the city’s bicentenary celebrations next year.

“I think we should have a proper parade. If they could do it 50 years ago, they should be able to do it now,” she said.

When Bathurst Regional Councillor Bobby Bourke raised the idea of a parade at last week’s council meeting, he was told by mayor Gary Rush that a street parade really wasn’t on the agenda because of the logistic involved.

However, Cr Rush did note that the 2015 bash would really be more of what he described as a “procession of events”.

Mrs Brennan said it would be ridiculous for council to be put off a parade because of the logistics involved.

“I have never heard so much poppycock,” she said. “If they can close the streets for Anzac Day and other events, surely they can do it for the bicentenary.” 

“Surely we haven’t got so lethargic that we think we don’t need one.”

Mrs Brennan said that the parade held in 1965 had been a huge event 

“I rode in a Hansom cab,” she said. “In a dress I had made specifically for the parade, which I still have.”

“It was a huge parade,” she added. “There were people everywhere and people dressed up in costumes. It was incredible, and went down William Street and ended up at the showground from memory.”

“Then there was a great big ball one night as well.”

She said in the parade there had been stage coaches, decorated trucks, people dressed up in colonial attire and historical re-enactments.

“The lead-up to that was a good 12 or 18 months, and I can remember going to Sydney as I wanted this hat for it and people in Sydney were even talking about it.”

Mrs Brennan said it would be a tragedy if such a parade was not held to mark the bicentenary. 

“People just love a parade,” she said. “If you put a really good street parade on in William or George Street and shut the street off, it would be great.”

“Children could get dressed up in colonial outfits, we could have old cars, re-enactments and more.”

She noted that after the parade, it would be wonderful to have a big fair with performances and multi-cultural food, followed by a big ball at night. 

She said she liked Councillor Monica Morse’s suggestion to the Bicentenary Celebrations Committee that there should be a colonial fair.

Mrs Brennan said that as the oldest inland settlement in Australia, Bathurst should lead the way and set an example for how such a milestone should be celebrated.