Monday 17 September 2012

Official Opening of Extended Carnamah Museum

Back in May 2011 we shared Museum Extension Photos showing the progress being made on the enlarging of our museum building. We're now delighted to announce that on Saturday 15 September 2012 our much larger museum was officially opened by the Honourable Grant Woodhams, MLA for Moore.

The Carnamah Museum at 10 Macpherson Street a few hours before the opening!

The opening day was held in conjunction with the annual North Midlands Show, which was held at Niven Park in Carnamah. During the afternoon over one hundred people left the showgrounds by bus, car and on foot and made their way down Macpherson Street.

Our president George Fowler addressed the gathering before handing the mic over to Grant Woodhams to perform the task of declaring the building open. During his speech Grant remarked that "so much of history resides within us" and congratulated the community on preserving and showcasing its history with such a quality museum.

Grant Woodhams (left) performing the opening with our president George Fowler (right)
Photo courtesy of Jenny McDonald



After a few words from Shire of Carnamah president Merle Isbister the time was at hand to open the doors. Those present entered the building while we stood back and admired the fact that our museum could now accommodate a crowd of people! After a solid browsing of the museum everyone returned to the showgrounds for afternoon tea.

Patrons viewing our completed Window to the Past project.
See our blog post Unveiled: Window to the Past for full details and more photos!

We are indebted to the following:
  • Lotterywest for a considerable grant towards building construction
  • Shire of Carnamah for their support and both cash and in-kind contributions
  • Relix Community Revitalisation for their assistance in securing Lotterywest funding
  • Grant Woodhams MLA, Barbara Shields and Hal Walton for supporting our Lotterywest grant application as referees
  • Royalties for Regions via the Mid West Development Commission for two smaller grants towards display cases and our Window to the Past project
  • Our excellent builder Ron Speldewinde and all of his sub-contractors
  • Carnamah Lions Club, Debe Glass & Maintenance, Rio Tinto Minerals in Three Springs, Geraldton Tiling Pty Ltd, Waltons, Winchester Industries and Ron Speldewinde Carpentry Services for donations and/or assistance
  • The many other individuals who assisted in so very many ways

It's also appropriate that we thank those who have donated items, photographs and documents over the past twenty years. If you have something that might be suitable for our collection please contact us. We now have the capacity to suitably display or safely store!

Two of our members in Elizabeth Walton (left) and Jill Tilly (right)

Carnamah Shire president Merle Isbister leaving with her husband Lindsay after the opening
Photo courtesy of Jenny McDonald

So what's next? In 2013 the Carnamah townsite will turn 100, we will turn 30, and our website will turn ten! Celebrations may be in order - watch this space!

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9 comments:

bridie kikeros said...

Well done to all concerned - was well worth the wait

Carnamah Historical Society said...

Thanks Bridie, six years in the making!

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos of a happy day. I would like to have been there. Linda Harrington

Carnamah Historical Society said...

It was a very happy indeed. Thanks Linda!

Fiona Bush said...

Congratulations Carnamah - such a large space! I look forward to seeing what you've got planned for 2013!

Anonymous said...

got no comment on the museum, sorry.
my name is andy and im trying to find an old friend who i let slip away. sorry bridie, if its you please e mail stegga3@aol.com
i would love to know how you're getting along.
if you used to be bridie hawkridge please contact andy holt.
if not let me know, and i can look elsewhere. but how many bridie 's can ther be in carnamah wa.

Andrew Bowman-Bright said...

Hi Andy - we've passed on your message and e-mail address to Bridie so hopefully you'll hear from her soon if you haven't already!

Carnamah Historical Society said...

Thanks Fiona. Big things planned for 2013 - watch this space!

Kaye Dix said...

congratulations to everyone in your hard work towards making the Carnamah Museum a reality - well done (we were friends with the late Joe Clancy who was part of your community for many years and I'm sure he would have been pleased with the addition of the new Museum.) our last visit to Carnamah was before Joe Clancy passed away and he showed us through the museum in the old building which we were then very impressed with kind regards Kaye and Geoffrey Dix Mandurah W.A.