The Esplanade has always been shown on the earliest maps of the Village dating from the late 1800’s. At first it was Knobles Esplanade, named after J. Knoble, a soldier in the Boer War. Later it was changed to Bridges Esplanade.
Mr. Owen Dunlop was the head teacher at the Pleasant Hills Primary School, appointed in 1988. During his time, the town entered the Tidy Towns challenge and did very well. The award was put to good use by doing up the Esplanade, planting trees and adding a track through the wooded area. Mr. Dunlop later moved to Burrumbuttock Primary School where he started a world-acclaimed environmental education centre.
The Esplanade project continued to be supported by Susan Creek until her passing a few years ago.
Also, the first meeting of the Pleasant Hills Pre-School was held on the 7th March 1972, with the first session in July of that year. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary this year!
Fiona Beckett