Final days for "Women of Empire"

 The opportunity to see this remarkable exhibition "Women of Empire 1914-1918" in Western Australia is coming to a close. The display finishes at the Greenough Museum on Sunday 20th November and then returns east.

However, to make sure you can still get a chance to discover the amazing stories of these 21 Australian and New Zealand women and see the stunning costumes, we will be extending museum hours.
The Greenough Museum will be open between 9.00am and 7.30pm on Friday 18th and Sunday 20th November. This would be a lovely time to pack up a hamper and enjoy a picnic in the museum gardens before seeing the exhibition.
Normal hours 9.00am till 3.30pm will operate other days.

"Women of Empire" exhibition coming to Greenough.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to see this travelling exhibition at the Greenough Museum from 29 October till 20 November 2016. The exhibition tells the stories of 21 Australian and New Zealand women who's lives were transformed by World War I. Of special interest to Midwest residents is that two local women are featured - Edith Cowan and Fanny Hamersley.

Fanny Hamersley has a very special connection to this house as she married Septimus Frank Maley, youngest son of John & Elizabeth Maley.

Greenough Museum 50th birthday gifts

Some of the 50th Birthday Gifts to the Greenough Museum that will be added to the museum's collection.

 Child's chamber pot donated by John and Lyn Sewell.

 Victorian era mounted policeman's horse bit donated by Joy McDonald.

 Portrait of Stan Maley by Anthea da Silva donated by Stan Maley.

 6 beer glasses made from stubbies donated by Murray Blythe.

 Painting of an Amangu man painted by Anthea da Silva and donated by the artist.

 Gentleman's top hat in it's original carton donated by Gary Martin.

 Watercolour of a coastal scene donated by the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.

Horse hobbles donated by Peter Hannaford.

Many thanks to all who donated gifts and sent birthday cards.

50th Birthday presents and cards

As this museum approaches its 50th birthday on 4th September, why not give the museum a present or birthday card? After all, museums, like people, appreciate gifts.
Your gift could be something for the museum collection (please contact the curator at pioneer_museum@westnet.com.au for details about the Collection Management Policy), it could be money or it could be something useful for the day to day operations of the museum and gardens.
Also why not send a birthday card - hand-made cards especially appreciated. All cards will be kept in the museum archives.
You gift or card can be delivered to the museum or posted to the Greenough Museum & Gardens, PO Box 2011, Geraldton, WA, 6531, Australia.
Thank you.

Approaching 50 years at the Greenough Museum

Did you know this is the oldest museum to open in the Mid West of Western Australia? Then known as the Wonga Park Folk Museum, it first opened on Sunday 4th September 1966. Above is a poster from that era. Over the last 50 years there have been numerous changes. The museum is now managed by the Community Group of Greenough, has been renamed the Greenough Museum & Gardens and Adult admissions are now $5.00. The good news is that children still get in for free. On Sunday 4th September this museum celebrates its 50th birthday. Come down and join in the celebrations. You will be pleasantly surprised at the changes that have occurred. This is more than a traditional house museum.

Return of Royce Cart II

Three generations of the Royce family, the Mayor of Geraldton and representatives from the Greenough Regional Prison, the media and the Community Group of Greenough gathered at the museum on 13th May to welcome back the Royce cart. Restoration was undertaken at the Greenough Regional Prison under the supervision of Max Royce, grandson of the cart's maker. They have done a magnificent job and the beautifully restored cart is now on display in the Community Shed at the museum.

Return of Royce cart

Back in November 2015 the Royce tip-cart was removed from this museum, but for a good cause. The cart was taken to the Greenough Regional Prison to be restored. What makes this project really special, is that the man supervising the restoration, Max Royce, is the grandson of the man who built the cart.
The cart was made by Howard Maxwell Royce at "Koobabby", near Moora in 1930 using adze, broad axe and cross-cut saw. It was a spare time job, that took over a year to complete. Local timbers from Coorow and Moora were used for the wheels and the steel tyres were forged at the local blacksmith at Coorow. The Depression forced the Royce family to move to Greenough in 1936, where the dray was used to haul produce from their farm to market.
In the late 60s the cart was donated to what was then the Wonga Park Folk Museum. For over 45 years it stood outside in the Machinery Yard slowly deteriorating.
The exciting news is that the restored cart will be returning to this museum on Friday.