Across the past 12 months, The News was there to capture the moments big and small that remind us why this region feels like home.

It was a year filled with stories that made us laugh, pause, scratch our heads and, most importantly, feel proud to be part of something shared.

It became a year for unearthing the past, quite literally, as time capsules buried by schools, Rotary clubs and community groups were dug up after 25 years underground.

Letters written in careful handwriting, photographs and memorabilia donated by families and businesses offered a glimpse of Shepparton as it once was.

Each capsule felt like a message sent forward, reminding us how far we’ve come and how familiar some things still feel.

One of the most anticipated unearthings came when the Rotary Club of Shepparton retrieved two time capsules buried in 2000 at Victoria Park Lake, opposite the Park Lake Motel.

One capsule dated back even further, created by Ron Caple in 1973, while another was fashioned from black PVC in 2000.

Inside were around 500 letters, photos and keepsakes, each one a snapshot of local life and pride, and a powerful reminder of the people who have helped shape the city we know today.

Not all capsule stories went to plan, though.

When staff at the Shepparton Heritage Centre moved to loosen the bolts on a capsule believed to have been sealed for 25 years, the seal fell off entirely, revealing an empty interior.

Shock quickly turned into mystery as the planned opening event was cancelled and questions swirled about what happened to the missing contents.

Months on, the capsule’s story remains unsolved.

Milestones were also front and centre this year, none more moving than the Arcadia Fire Brigade’s 90th anniversary celebration in April.

The gathering honoured decades of service, with several members receiving 30-year medals, but it was John Kennedy’s remarkable 70 years of service that left many in awe.

The brigade’s continued commitment through fundraisers shows that community spirit doesn’t retire — it only grows stronger.

If there was one topic that had everyone talking, it was the big pear.

Love it or question it, the proposed three-storey fibreglass fruit sparked national attention and lively local debate.

Estimated to cost at least $1.3 million, the pear proposal tapped into the region’s fruit-growing identity, with some even suggesting Shepparton could become the capital of Australia’s ‘big things’.

Controversial or potentially iconic, it certainly put our town firmly in the spotlight.

Tatura delivered a sweet new landmark with the opening of its upgraded skate park, complete with a cheeky nod to the town’s famous vanilla slice.

The new ramps quickly became a hub for skaters, scooter riders and BMXers of all ages, drawing crowds and creating a space where community and creativity met.

Shepparton also welcomed a flurry of paws and wheels when the Northern Victorian Sled Dog Club Classic rolled into town.

Around 100 mushers and their canine competitors descended on the region, turning local tracks into scenes of pure excitement.

When the clock struck go, dogs surged forward, humans held tight and spectators couldn’t look away.

One of the year’s most heartwarming stories belonged to long-time locals Mario and Lina Bettanin, who showed us all what love and resilience look like.

Approaching their 70th wedding anniversary, the couple still climb the 160 steps of the Shepparton Tower every week, sealing each effort with a kiss at the top.

After health scares and decades of life together, their routine has become a symbol of commitment, strength and the simple joy of showing up — together.

Rounding out the year was a powerful example of generosity, as Ladies Who Lunch and the Biggest Ever Blokes’ Lunch handed over an incredible $475,000 to support local healthcare.

With $300,000 from BEBL and $175,000 from LWL, the milestone showed what’s possible when a community rallies around a cause.

It was a fitting end to a year that proved, again and again, that Shepparton’s greatest asset has always been its people.

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Sunday, 21st June 2026

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