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.

Chinese Translation

Thanks to Bin Wen from Shanghai we are now able to provide a translation of our handout to Chinese speaking visitors.

Maitland Brown's fruit bowl

Latest donation to the museum is this EPNS fruit bowl. This is a very significant piece as it was presented by members of the Greenough Farmers' Club to Maitland Brown in June 1904. The presentation ceremony in St Catherine's Hall had to be cancelled due to the death of Mrs Brown. Brown was appointed the first Resident Magistrate at Greenough (aged only 23). He later served as Resident Magistrate in Geraldton and was instrumental in organising relief for Greenough residents after the 1888 flood. Thank you to Peter Carew-Reid for sending this bowl over from Queensland to the museum.

French translation

"Merci beaucoup Myriam." We now have a French translation of the Museum handout.

City of Greater Geraldton Heritage Awards

At the City of Greater Geraldton Heritage Awards held on the evening of 10th April, the Community Group of Greenough (Inc) as custodians of the Greenough Museum & Gardens were presented with a "Special Recommendation" Award.
Pictured is Gary Martin, curator of the museum receiving the award from Ian Carpenter, Mayor of the City of Greater Geraldton.

Midwest Chapter Report

On Saturday 28th March, the Cervantes Historical Society hosted the Midwest Chapter of Museums Australia (WA) meeting. This provides an opportunity for representatives from all the local museums to meet, share ideas and report on their activities over the previous 6 months.
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.

Can you help identify this woman?

According to the donor, the woman portrayed here is either Alice Bullen or Catherine Scrivener, both daughters of Joseph and Catherine Bridgman of Greenough. Can you recognise her?

Flood Display

With minor flooding of the Greenough River occurring at the moment, I bring to your attention this recent display at the museum.

It came about as we had excess furniture with  nowhere to store. By stacking them on top of each other we have created a display relevant to flooding and directs people to the Cellar where we have further information.
Fortunately this house was built above the 100 year flood level.

New Banners

The first of two sets of new banners are now installed on the banner poles facing Phillips Road. Thanks go to the City of Greater Geraldton for funding through the Community Grants scheme, to Seaside Signs, Dongara, for printing and construction, and to Phillipe for helping install them this morning.

"Beam me up Scotty" display case moved.

After much struggle the "Beam me up Scotty" displace case has been moved into the Archives Room. This empty display case poses the following question to visitors:-
"Imagine you could be teleported 100 years into the future. You then revisit this museum. What present day objects would you expect to see displayed here?"
Some recent comments include:
James - 2015 clothes, there might be a big difference.
Irene - IPhone, because it can store everything in it, pictures, music, etc. Will be a great blast from the past!
Suzanne - A flowering plant. We need to protect nature and enjoy it everyday.
Georgina - Spiderman comic, because comics are a big thing.
Kate - USB stick, because they are the new photo albums.
To see other comments or add you own, please visit the museum.

 

A brief history translated into Korean.

당신이 알다시피 'Maley's house '는 'Greenough'에 위치해 있다. 이 지역은 홍수로 인해 침적하여 이루어졌는데 동쪽은 석회석 산마루로, 서쪽은 'Indian Ocean'을 경계로 모래언덕으로 이루어져 있고 꼬불꼬불 흐르는 강물은 'Greenough River'로 연결되어 있다. 매우 비옥한 이 토지는 한때 정착한 'Amangu'사람의 집이었다. 그들은 강에서 물고기를 잡고, 해변에 서 조개를, 물속에서 마과류( 감자,고구마같은)를 채집하며 살아갔다. WA에서의 유럽인의 거주는 1829년 Swan River에서의 시작으로, 그로부터 10년후 한 영국인이 탐 험으로 이곳을 왔는데 그의 탐험을 지지하던 사람들 중 한 사람 'Greenough'으로 인해 이 강은 Greenough라 불려졌다. 1850년 양,소와 같은 가축들이 풀을 뜯어먹기 좋은 환경으로 목축민들이 모여살았다. 1857년 이 지역은 밀을 심는 농부들에게 팔려 다시 세분화되었다. 이 지역은 점차 이주민들의 밀농사 지역이 되었다. 1860년 'John Maley' 는 이 곳으로 와서 건설과 증기로 만든 밀을 관리했다. 그는 그의 신부인 'Elizabeth'를 위해 작은 집을 지었다. 1877년 뛰어난 식물학자 'Baron von Mueller'이 이 곳을 방문하여 후추나무를 심었는데 그게 지금의 집앞에 있는 큰 나무이다. 'Maley'의 사업은 점점 커져 밀가루를 'Dongara'에까지도, 상점과 호텔을 'Greenough'에, 그리고 양 조장을 'Geraldton'에까지 확장되었다. 가족수 또한 늘어(아들 9명, 딸 5명) 집 또한 커질 수 밖에 없었다. 1880년이후 'Maley'의 집은 'Greenough'에서 가장 큰 일반 가정집이었고 그는 '이 지역의 왕'이라 불려질만큼 영향력이 큰 사람이었다. 1888년 2월 4일 홍수로 인해 'Greenough'는 황폐화되었는데 지대가 높아 이집과 그의 밀은 피해를 입지않았다. 이 지역에 거대한 호수가 생겨났는데 지름이 48km 깊이는 5m나 되었다. 사람 4명이 익사하고 집과 농작물은 파괴되었고 비축한 것들은 모두 잃었다. 그 들 중 Malay는 피해가 가장 컸고 그가 소유했던 많은 버둥거리며 사는 농부들에 의해 많은 빚을 지게 되었다. 그는 사업을 팔아야만 했고 1910년 환멸을 느낀 그는 이곳에서 생을 마감했다. 재산은 그의 자손에게 넘어갔고 그리 오랫동안 이곳을 소유하지 않았다. 그들은 더 큰 농장을 'Wheatbelt'에 수립하기로 결정했고 1932년 이 집은 'Rudduck'가족에게 팔렸다. 1966년 GHS( Geraldton Historical Society : Geraldton 역사협회, Geraldton 는 이 곳으로부터 약19km 떨어져있는 도시로 WA에서 Perth 다음으로 큰 도시 )는 이 집을 Midwest 에서 첫번째로 지역 역사 박물관으로 지정했다. 1971년 이 집은 지역 의회에 의해 구매되었고 그들은 재산으로써 계속해서 유지해왔다. 2012년 9월 GHS는 수집물들을 옮기고 재정비했다. 현재는 Greenough의 한 커뮤니티의 관리자에 의해 관리되어지고 있다. 이 곳은 이 지역의 역사를 상징한다.

Thankyou Tah for providing this translation.

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This Blog is moving

I would like to thank all those who have viewed this blog and to inform you that it is now moving. Greenough Museum blogs can now be viewed at www.greenoughmuseum.com. This blog will be discontinued shortly. Wishing you all a Happy Xmas and all the best for 2014.

Why Do Museums Display Objects in Glass Cases?

The new Greenough Museum is a more hands-on experience. We actually encourage people to touch. However, there are some objects that need to be encased because of their significance to Greenough and their fragility. One such object is the Royce rockinghorse.

With support from the City of Greater Geraldton, a perspex case was made to place over this toy. When the perspex case arrived it was partially covered in brown paper, and a decision was made to leave that paper on so that visitors could write their comments about why this toy was encased.

This has been popular with both children and adults. Some of the comments written include:-

Very important to preserve, part of our history and can’t be replaced – Janice

Sometimes glass is appropriated but it diminishes the ‘real’ experience of being a part of history. Prefer no glass.

Why is it in a cage?

 Why not it is old and we have to keep memories – Jayga.

But memory is a thought, isn’t that enough? Let things die.

Nasty.

Yes, because when I was young we had a rocking horse and my aunt sold it as she didn’t value it. I’m 67 and still miss it.