Below is the report presented on behalf of this museum:-
Since we last met in October, the museum has had a
further 786 adults and 198 children visit. Summer is always a quiet time, but
we contain to maintain our charter of having the museum open every day. How
many other museums can make that claim? This is only possible through the
support we receive from volunteers from the Community Group of Greenough.
We continue to work with other organisations to care
for Greenough’s heritage. Menshed Geraldton is close to completing restoration
of the Poison Cart which was in a very dilapidated condition due to it being
displayed outside for the previous 40 years. The Greenough Regional Prison is
about to undertake restoration of the Royce Dray which is also in a very
dilapidated condition for the same reasons. This work will be supervised by Max
Royce, grandson of the original maker.
Through funding from the City of Greater Geraldton,
the first of two sets of banners have been installed in the front paddock. We
also thank the City’s Heritage Services for providing a Three Museums banner
for display in the museum.
As part of our quest to have an evolving and engaging
museum, a very successful sourdough bread making workshop was held in the
museum kitchen, and further workshops are planned this year. The Community
Vegie Garden is now in readiness for planting and continues to be both an
attractive and educational addition to the museum. As well the Community Space
provides a much needed meeting place for the local community. Museums today are
far more than just a collection of old objects and we look our continually
expanding our role in the community.
But talking of old objects, I continue to hope that the
management of the Geraldton Historical Society comes to their senses and return
the Maley and Greenough objects and photographs to their rightful place at the
Greenough Museum.
As I have stated previously, as a group we all need to
seriously look at our collections. If we have objects that are more appropriate
elsewhere, pass them on. Each museum in this region needs to create its own
unique identity. With this in mind, and as a gesture of good will, I would like
to pass on to the Geraldton Historical Society these 3 beautiful late Victorian
portrait photos that have come from Geraldton.
