The dying wish of a former Melton man has been granted, with relatives donating a family heirloom to the Melton Historical Society.
Desmond Shelley, who was born in Melton in 1920, lived in the township until 1941 when he joined the army.
In 1952 he settled in Tasmania, where he raised a family.
A framed scroll was given to his parents, Mr and Mrs Edward Carew, in 1925 for their work in the community. The couple owned a bank building and a blacksmith shop in High Street.
Desmond’s son Michael Shelley, pictured with relative Carmen Powles, travelled from Tasmania to present the scroll to the society last Friday.
“My father and his family were all bred in Melton and his grandparents received a large wooden momentum, all hand-painted, in recognition of the work they did in the community,” Mr Shelley said. “All my dad’s brothers and sisters have worked hard in the community, too.”
Desmond died in May, 2010. Mr Shelley said his father had fond memories of Melton, including bicycle rides to Bacchus Marsh.
