Sunday marked 70 years since the death of former prime minister John Curtin.
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To honour the day, the Creswick Historical Society unveiled a new plaque constructed at his place of birth in the town.
The society’s secretary Val Lawrence said around 50 people attended the official unveiling on the corner of Church and Hall streets.
“I think when little towns have someone who has risen to fame, you do feel a little proud,” she said.
“Particularly with Curtin because he was the war-time prime minister, he had the courage to stand up to (Winston) Churchill, when he said he wanted more troops, and he (Curtin) said no, we need them here.
“There wasn’t many people who stood up to Churchill.”
The society raised the money and did all of the planning for the plaque.
Mr Curtin was the Australian prime minister from October 1941 to July 1945.
He died at the age of 60 while still holding the office of prime minister.
Mr Curtin is commemorated by the federal seat of Curtin located in Western Australia.
Hepburn Shire Council councillor Don Henderson was in attendance for the official unveiling.
“The historical society decided they would do something to mark the 70 years since his death and honour that,” he said.
“I think the Creswick community are pretty aware of John Curtin because we have aged care facility, which is one of the best in the country, and it is named after him.
“A lot of people in Crewswick know John Curtin but not many people from elsewhere know that John Curtin was born in Creswick.
“The importance of Curtin is that he was probably one of the greatest prime ministers and was involved with getting America involved in the war.”
Cr Henderson said he believed the Creswick community was very proud of the former PM.
“He is on the Creswick Civic Honour Roll,” he said.
“He was born here and he had a great influence elsewhere.”
While there is some contention of the exact location of his birth in the town, Ms Lawrence said the historical society had spent some time narrowing down the location and are almost certain the location of the plaque is correct.
“We had to search through rate books to try and find where he lived,” she said.
“It is in the near vicinity and that is what the plaque says.”
Ms Lawrence said money left over from the recent honour roll dinner had helped to pay for the plaque.
