Originally published December 1, 1986

MILDURA City Centre burst to life to hail the arrival of the new $1.6 million Langtree Mall.

Thousands of people filled the mall for the grand opening, and all who had a hand in the day were delighted with the turnout.

Up to 8000 people may have passed through the mall during the day's proceedings.

The opening ceremony marked the end of what was Mildura City Council's largest and most ambitious project.

The mall was also the biggest Commonwealth Employment Program undertaken in country Victoria.

Jazz, clowns, balloons, Aboriginal and Greek dancers, a fashion parade, Telecom phone, red rabbit, bikini-clad Amcal girls, a rock violinist and an abundance of competition were part of the opening.

But it was Fat Cat and his friend Barry Crocker who stole the show with the children.

Mildura most historical figures - W. B. Chaffey, his wife, his brother George, Mr and Mrs Alfred Deakin and Mr Charles Langtree -- were depicted by Mildura Little Theatre members who added a touch of old world charm to celebrations.

Mayor John Blain described the mall as one of the best, if not the best, in Australia.

The mall still has about two months of "touch ups" remaining before it will be in a finished state.

This will involve completion of two kiosks, a water cascade feature and some paving on the end of Ninth Street.

Pavers, many of which were engraved with the names of local residents, were used in the original design of the mall.

The mall brought to an end the long-held "Laps of Langtree" activity where local residents would roam up and down Langtree Avenue in their vehicles, usually during the night, as a form of entertainment and social gatherings.