Preserving Our Past: Gilgandra Museum and Historical Society News - December 20, 2022

Following a very busy few months, members were pleased to have a fine day recently to spend time together and enjoy their usual Christmas barbeque. Bob Rogers and Neil Cooper were the chefs on this occasion, with the ladies preparing delicious salads. Dessert was the customary fruit salad and ice-cream.

In recent months, two separate branches of the Mawbey Family have been entertained and have been happy that their family history continues to be well looked after. Local businessmen Wayne Semmler and David Baker, as well as our local council, have been thanked for their contributions to improvements at Gilgandra Museum. Fences have been erected, exhibits repositioned, additional drainage put in place and, with the cessation of rain for the time being, the frontage of the museum is greatly improved.

The Thompson Family photographs displayed in shopfronts, for the ‘Come Home to Gilgandra Festival,’ by Judy Shalboub and Virginia Paton were much admired and some of these have found new homes. Virginia’s Miller Street in Miniature was also greatly regarded over the weekend and will hopefully find a permanent home in the near future. John Pond donated old photos and information of Biddon, which are valuable additions to our collections.

Other donations recently received are a wonderful collection of badges from Mary Wright. Mary‘s late husband, Kevin, was a longterm member of Gilgandra Bowling Club and the badges include those from clubs he visited together many others. Mary donated Kevin’s bowls and also those of his father Ozzie. Apparently these bowls are too heavy for today’s bowlers!

Annette Turner, National Party candidate for Barwon, visited the museum and Coo-ee Heritage Centre (CHC) with her film crew, and president Max Zell showed them around. It is great that Annette has taken a few opportunities to visit Gilgandra and particularly our museum. In early December, a coach from Stanthorpe visited the museum with 22 persons on board, plus driver and tour director. A boxed luncheon, specially prepared by Johnson’s Family Store, was enjoyed by all – and they kept mentioning how fresh the sandwiches were.

After a brief talk on Gilgandra’s history, they took the opportunity to explore the museum and also walk up to the CHC. Working visitors have been our artists, Nat Ord and Vanessa Keenan, through Orana Arts project enCounter, and we look forward to what they have planned for Gilgandra Museum early next year. Shellharbour Students also returned to the museum for two days in November. President Max obtained information and materials for the students to work on, amongst other things, leather and wooden items in the museum. Many items look great following the students’ hard work.

Museum advisor, through Museums and Galleries of NSW, Kylie Moppett, has been providing advice and assistance in setting up and improving the Coo-ee March Memorial and Allan Wise Galleries, in conjunction with council, which has been greatly appreciated.

The society is appreciative of the efforts of all its members who volunteer to keep the museum open, take care of grounds and exhibits, record history, answer queries and entertain our visitors.