Flashback marks plaza milestone
Visitors to Horsham Plaza on Wednesday could be forgiven for thinking they had stepped back in time, with staff members rocking shoulder pads, fluoro, taffeta and stonewashed denim.
The nod to 1980s fashion was part of a special milestone as Horsham Plaza celebrated its 30th birthday.
Centre manager Allison Roberts said staff and customers enjoyed various festivities throughout the week, but the highlight was the many stories shared from times gone by.
“It is amazing how many people made comments about the birthday celebrations,” she said.
“Many said, ‘I can’t believe it has been 30 years’ and so many started sentences with, ‘I remember when…’.
“We had a lot of people write on a memory board.”
Mrs Roberts said the plaza, which opened in 1987, had played a significant role in many people’s lives throughout the past three decades.
“We employ on average about 300 staff, which includes full-time, part-time and casual workers,” she said.
“The plaza has provided a significant amount of employment for the Wimmera.
“We also average 30,000 people a week through the doors. In 30 years, that’s millions of people who have visited the centre.”
Mrs Roberts said she was thrilled by the way stores embraced the theme.
“Many staff got dressed up in ’80s gear and it was quite uplifting to see everyone so keen to be involved,” she said.
“We had a lot of old photos on the ceiling, so a lot of people were looking up to see who they recognised.
“We also had a display of ’80s fashions, donated by staff and customers. A lot of people stopped to look at it and talk about the similar items they wore.”
Plaza customers had an opportunity to use a free photo booth, complete with props.
“Some of the photos were hilarious,” Mrs Roberts said. “They are a wonderful keepsake to celebrate the milestone.”