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.