A permanent Stone of Manhood was installed on March 25 to mark the town’s ownership of the festival.

Brigadoon publicity officer Alaistair Saunders said the idea for the monument came about on a train trip.

“I discovered the various towns and villages had signposts saying they were the ‘town of’ this and that,” he said.

“There was nothing, to my knowledge, in this town that represented that this is the home of Brigadoon.”

Reigning champion of the Bundanoon Stones of Manhood Luke Reynolds lifted the 110kg stone into its permanent position near the railway station.

He said strongmen came to compete in the Stones of Manhood due to its prestige.

“The challenge and prestige is what draws guys here, it’s the most prestigious stone competition in Australia for strongmen,” he said.

The Bundanoon Public School choir and Highlands Pipes and Drum performed tunes for the crowd to mark the occasion.

The materials for the stone and plinth were donated by Bundanoon Sandstone.

The 40^th Brigadoon will take place April 1, 2017. Head to www.brigadoon.org.au for more details.