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Frank Sartor, NSW Minister for Planning has just approved a grant for the Berry Museum to receive $50,000 for the repairs to the Stonework. This is the result of our application under their Heritage Grants Works Program. The Shoalhaven City Council is now going to draw up a scope of works and send out for tenders. One of the conditions of the grant is that the work has to be completed by 30th May 2009, so we are near the end of our wait.

The marble replica mantelpiece for the front room of the museum is now finished and has only to be installed. It has been made by the Berry Men’s Shed and the marbling effect, installation and co-ordination of the project has been done by Alan Cochrane, a local heritage decorator. Most of the money for this was donated to the museum by the late Jim Griggs (a member of the Society). This nearly completes the renovations for the front room.

Iain Chalmers from the Berry Men's Shed who made the replica.

Iain Chalmers from the Berry Men's Shed who made the replica.

As a result of a few working bees the garage is now a functioning garden shed and work shed and the laundry (the last room of the building) has nearly been cleared out. The next working bee is on Monday 11th August commencing at 9am and all members are invited to come and help. We intend to complete the emptying of that room, turn it into a washing and tools display, and decide on the next project.

The new access ramp is now finished. Council will be advising us of the system we need to have to alert us to those who need it and this will then be passed on to members. James Barkway Jones is purchasing new locks for all gates and the garage so they are all keyed alike. This is being done as some of the old padlocks are rusted and hard to use and we will then have just one key.

ROSTERED MEMBERS GUIDE

This guide has been updated and Trish Knevitt has put together a folder with some history for member’s interest and to help them answer the most commonly asked questions by visitors. The guide, history folder, green book and sign on book will now all be left together on the front desk for the convenience of rostered members.

KEYS

For security reasons there is no longer a key for the museum kept in the bottle shop. If you are on the roster you should have been contacted by now to make sure that you have a key. Also, if you need access to the museum as a volunteer or a member outside opening hours please contact one of the committee. All visitors and tradespeople need to be with a member to enter the museum.

DVD and TV RECEIVER

Bev Stevens will be contacting all rostered members to teach them how to turn this on and off each day we are open as it has to be done by the person on duty, not the visitors.

NEW DISPLAY – BERRY MASONIC VILLAGE

A new display, featuring the history of the Berry Masonic Village, will be in place by Saturday, 2nd August. The Masonic Village Auxiliary will launch the display on Friday, 1st August.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

11th August (Monday) - Working Bee at 9am (see article "Update on our Building")

10th September (Wednesday) Open Day & New Members Day at the Museum commencing at 11am. BYO Lunch. Tours inside the Museum and of the gardens. See the internal workings of the Museum, hear informal updates of coming events and plans and aspirations for the Historical Society. Everyone is welcome.

8th October (Wednesday) Workshop on "Investigating and Interpreting History for the Visitor". Aimed at Museum Desk Volunteers and run by Committee member Chris Curry. Commencing at 10am until 12 noon. More details in future Chronographs.

Berry & District Historical Society

P.O. Box 153 Berry NSW 2535 Phone: 02 4464 3097

President: Jenny Clapham Secretary: Rick Gainford

02 44642446 02 44642446

Newsletter – Comment, Suggestions, Content – please contact:

Peter Knevitt pknevitt@optusnet.com.au or 02 44642594

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