Combined Churches Crib

This plaque is located next to the crib at 43 Victoria St.

The crib was built in 1970 on land provided by the Shire of Heytesbury after a request from the town’s churches for a permanent home for their Christmas displays. Paid for by donations and street stalls, it was built by local builder Brian Malden at a cost of $500.

The management committee consisted of representatives from the Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Rev David Fotheringham was the chairman, supported by long-serving secretary, Jack Sartori.

In 1977, the Presbyterian and Methodist churches became the Uniting Church and the newly-established Christian Reformed Church was welcomed into the group in 1980.

In 2000, the management committee was named the Cobden Combined Churches Christmas Crib Committee.

For thirty years, from 1984 until 2014, the committee was led by Fred Wheaton as chairman and Dr Janet van Leerdam as secretary. Juli Dwyer took on the chair position.

The churches take their turn to create appropriate seasonal scenes and features, as well as the traditional nativity tableau.

It has been agreed that the kindergarten will use the crib to display children’s work when it is not required by the committee.

At various times, local residents including Russell Lacy, Slim Cotton, and Jack Eaton have provided backdrops and banners, and restored and repainted the plaster figures as needed. Electrician Gary Rix installed electricity via the infant welfare centre in 2010.

In 2019, the Corangamite Shire generously renovated the crib, enabling much easier access.

The crib is an example of the community’s churches working together to celebrate the story of Christianity.