well once again we come to the end of the year and I must say
2005 has been a very productive year for the Millewa Pioneer
Park, not in the form of profit but more in regard to achievements.
The extension to our machinery shed has begun with 80 feet one
side and 20 feet on the other so adding 100 feet to its overall
length, which will enhance greatly our display capacity the
work is being done by Jeff Wilkie who seems to be a busy man
and we are pleased to have him on board for this project thanks
to a much needed grant.
A big thanks to Eric Wilson for the collection of corrugated
iron chickens , complete with eggs which look very much at home
in amongst the bushes at the Simpson cottage and also thanking
Eric for the great restoration job of the shop counter which
now sits proudly in the Government building. A big thanks also
to all the people who made available their old photos of machinery
which contributed to our display in October, the people of the
Millewa are always generous with their personal photos and individual
family history
details and we could not operate without their assistance.
Speaking of assistance it was really fantastic to have new young
volunteers come to our aid this last October open day and it
makes things look promising for the future of the event.
A huge thanks must go to Irymple Rotary who help us every year
by doing all the cooking, we have tried several times to hold
an event to personally thank them but it seems either we are
otherwise engaged or they are which pretty much drives home
how much they must do around the community, we hope to sometime
in the near future arrange something for them.
We have been lucky enough to manage to outsource catering on
two occasions this year on a trial basis and on both occasions
it has been a great success, it is becoming difficult to arrange
for our volunteers to meet at certain dates to cater, after
all it is a busy busy world we live in so being able to outsource
has been a godsend.
The sculpture competition and fashions from the back paddock
competition attracted some great entries, and were I feel a
great addition to our open day as was John Bairds motor display
which we have not had before.
The October day gives us all a chance to meet up with old friends
and acquaintances and really is one of the great events of the
year , we seem to coincide with many other events and they are
all fantastic in their own way but how can you beat meeting
old friends and having a laugh and talking about the old days.
We have begun discussing next years open day which will be
our 20 year anniversary so we hope to have new and wonderful
things to show and do, a photographic competition is in the
works so that should be exciting and I am looking forward to
that.
For our end of year jaunt this year we were invited to see
the river redgum program at Ned's Corner Station where they
have been pumping water to the redgum trees which have been
isolated from the river during this last broad drought, and
to date I think they have pumped over 12 megalitres of water
to them, forming a beautiful Billabong in among the saplings
,
they have blocked off old creeks and thus stopping the water
simply running back into the river, we then ventured on to lock
8 to view the new fish ladder installed then back to Ned's Corner
to feast on a lovely cooked BBQ which was followed Will Hannah
, a local aborigine discussing his life as a boy on the river
and the explanation of some of the tools used including a demonstration
of boomerang throwing.
We have made arrangements for the Simpsons cottage hession
walls and ceiling to be replaced in March of 2006 and this should
breath a fresh breath of life into the cottage. And it is thanks
to the Merbein Lions Club that this will take place, where would
we be without these people of Rotary and Lions club and other
such organisations; it really is about community and the community
spirit and we are so thankful of these generous people.
Lower Murray Water have donated the historical elevated water
tanks to the Millewa Pioneer Forest and Historical Society and
we will be conducting a hand over ceremony early next year maybe
February or March , the have also donated the large ground square
water tank which we will be relocating to the park grounds and
will be used as a storage area for us.
It has been a long and busy year for all our members and the
biggest thanks must go to you all for the effort you have once
again put in this year, The Millewa Pioneer Forest and Historical
Society wishes you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year
for 2006.
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