THE 2020 Pillars of Bathurst were acknowledged at this year's Proclamation Day celebrations, held in Bathurst on Sunday morning.
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As part of the event, six new Living Legends were announced, along with last year's Pillars of Bathurst and Living Legends, who were acknowledged at Sunday's Proclamation Day ceremony.
The 2020 Pillars of Bathurst included George Basha and Mary Basha, Haydn Larnach, Paric O'Brien, Arthur Budden, Ivan Cranston, Judy Webb, Harry Hodge and Brian Hodge, William Browne, Leslie Beavis and Reginald Pollard, P J Moodie and Leo Grant.
Master of Ceremonies, Christopher Morgan, said through the Pillars of Bathurst, the city is able "to look back and celebrate the lives and contributions of a a very diverse number of people who have made a beautiful and profound contribution to Bathurst."
He said many of the crowd gathered here were decedents, friends and family of those nominated for the honour.
Mayor, Bobby Bourke, said the Pillars of Bathurst started back in 2015.
"When we celebrated 200 years, and look what we have today.
"It's such a beautiful spot every day of the year, you can just walk around here honouring the families and people who have done so much for Bathurst," he said.
The Pillars of Bathurst is a cultural heritage garden located at Macquarie Park, on the bank of the Macquarie River.
The Pillars commemorate past Bathurstians who have added something special to the story of the Bathurst region, ideally offering inspiration to living and future Bathurstians.
Among those nominated were George and Mary Basha, which were known as icons of George Street.
George left Lebanon in 1938, aged just 17, and relocated to Bathurst in 1945, establishing The Aussie cafe on George Street followed in 1948 with a new businesses venture 'draper and mercer', with radio and newspaper ads declaring "George Basha the price smasher!" his shop prospered. He married Mary in 1950 and the couple expanded their businesses to include fruit and vegetables and ran the business until their retirement in 1973.
Another pilllar was Leo Grant, nominated for his pastoral care of the city's youth.
After being asked by Bishop Norton to do something for the youth of Bathurst, he established St Patrick's Catholic Young Men's Society, which turned out to be a great success.
Another pillar recognised at the ceremony was photographer, innovator and baker Haydn Larnach. Born in Bathurst and growing up at Newbridge, a baker's apprenticeship brought him to Bathurst, where during World War II he became the sole qualified bread maker serving the entire town.
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