Members of the Oxley community gathered at the King River Café for a dinner on Tuesday, 18 November to show their appreciation for Don and Janet Heath, recognising the couple's 47 years of dedicated service to the community, including their tireless efforts to preserve the Oxley Shire Hall and establish the Oxley Bush Market.

Around 75 people attended the special event, sharing anecdotes about the hall, from its fall into disrepair in the mid-1970s, through the decades-long restoration process which returned it to being a thriving community hub.

Speaking on the night were the hall committee's new president Bruce Uebergang and new secretary Sally Day, who both acknowledged the big shoes they had to fill, stepping into the roles formerly held by Don and Janet respectively.

Rural City of Wangaratta councillor Harry Bussell also recognised the efforts of the couple, with Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines sending a personal message of congratulations.

Bruce Uebergang welcomed everyone to the dinner; organised to say thanks after Don and Janet stood down as officer bearers from the hall committee in August.

He said the community wanted to acknowledge and raise a glass to their service, also paying tribute to the legacy of that first hall committee established in 1978, and the considerable volunteer effort which followed to bring the hall back to life.

"Our community is indebted to those people for their vision and hard work, which ensured the survival of our historic hall and its ultimate restoration," he said.

"Don and Janet have always been good at bringing people together and we have all been at some time a recipient of that togetherness."

Sally Day shared her own experience of arriving in the community and joining hall committee, remembering the warm welcome she immediately received from the couple.

She commended them on their vision to start the Oxley Bush Market back in 1980, which has grown to become a major event, and is also a catalyst for connection in the community.

"Don and Janet have always been at the forefront of drawing in volunteers and making sure people felt welcome, included and proud to call the hall their own," she said.

"Thank you to you both - you have been instrumental in bringing the Oxley Hall back to life for the community to enjoy.

"Your dedication, time and energy have made a real and lasting difference to our community, to the hall, and to this gathering tonight - your efforts have not gone unnoticed, they are deeply valued and truly appreciated by us all."

The hall's new booking officer Clare Cowdery presented Don and Janet with an original artwork by Oxley local and RiverArts owner Linda Syers, in the form of a beautiful handmade calligraphy certificate of appreciation, with an original to hang with pride in the hall, and a copy for the couple to take home.

The couple graciously accepted the gift, saying their own words of thanks and appreciation to those in attendance and to the Oxley community, which they have called home since 1976.