FORTY YEARS IN PICTURES

PRESIDENT’S SPEECH - OPEN DAY SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2025

 

As we gather here today to celebrate this birthday milestone there’s a mix of sentiments – both joy and relief at getting so far; pride in our achievements, with a pat on the back for what’s been done over the years; there’s also a reckoning about what more could be done.

 

What is there to celebrate at Yamba Museum?

Not just its longevity over the 4 decades –the original building donated by Yamba Bowling Club is still standing, and with the Old Kirk, in the same location.

Nor is it recognition, such as winning the 2020 Imagine award for the Yaegl Cultural Garden from Museums & Galleries NSW, and the official visit from the NSW Governor in 2023.

 

For me, there are 2 standout achievements. The first is the permanent exhibition.

I find the role of museums has strengthened given that contemporary interest in researching and being connected with one’s past seems more at the forefront than ever, as witnessed by the plethora of TV programs/podcasts/websites/DNA testing available on this. It seems to me that we all feel comforted by a sense of continuity, by understanding previous communities. In light of this, Yamba Museum is not solely a repository of old objects, photos or diaries, donated after a clean-up. It’s an environment where stories about earlier times and the lives of individuals in our locality can stimulate our respect for the past and increase our sense of well-being.

 

What does YM offer?

First, we focus on the local, not generic social history. Local provenance is highly important – we tell Yamba stories and perspectives. The Clarence River plays a central role. An excellent example is where we’ve securely repositioned Billy Black’s clinker-built skiff in the Breakwater Room – this very large and heavy object relates directly to the role and impact of the Clarence in people’s lives, boatbuilding skills, the fishing industry, and why people settled in Yamba. The imagery of our Yamba Museum logo symbolises this connection to the mighty Clarence River. A second example is in the recent donation from Yamba Cinema – the projector and popcorn machine are featured in the Birthday Exhibition Forty Years in Pictures in the Old Kirk. Many thanks to the Cousemacker family here today, Elaine, Phil, Desley and Debbie.  I know you’ll agree that volunteer Susan Ong has once again fashioned a creative experience for us.

 

Second, the scope and coverage of themes is considerable – from the motifs and totems of First Nations Yaegl people’s cultural heritage, to building the breakwall, to the fishing and sugar cane industries, commercial development, and of course surfing and the surf living saving club.

 

Third, for several themes there’s a comprehensive depth of information, drawing on a range of items to stimulate visitor interest and understanding - objects, clothing, memoirs, archival photos, videos, maps. The majority of our collection is exhibited and accessible to visitors.

 

We’ve started a program to revitilise the permanent exhibition, working since last year with our Museum Advisor to review all displays and their presentation. It’s a time-consuming process and you will see changes gradually. As part of our revamp, we’re planning to be more interactive and offer more in-depth information via a digital touchscreen for visitors.

 

My second stand out achievement is our reserve of active volunteers.

Currently we have 45 members who commit to a range of jobs to keep the museum operating – welcoming visitors at the Front Desk on a roster shift of 4 hours every month, for some it’s every week; managing donations and caring for the collection; guiding group tours; researching and updating our digital records, Image Library and website; and promoting Yamba Museum.  And not the least, creating displays in our permanent exhibition. These volunteers turn up regularly, are keen to improve processes, increase visitors and I often witness their delight as they direct visitors to certain stories/exhibits they find especially interesting. They are respected, effective and valued.

 

The base driver for Yamba Museum was driven by community members and it has remained that way – it’s served solely by volunteers. I’m often reminded of all those volunteers from the past 40 years as I walk through the display areas.

 

This consistent level of commitment means that we’re open 5 days per week, 20 hours every week. A capacity that is reflected in our visitor numbers.  I’ve looked back over our data and since 2010 until today – a period 15 years - there have been 50,100 visitors including coach and school groups who account for approx. 10-15 percent of the total. If I discount the COVID years when we were closed for 30 weeks, I feel it’s fair to say we’ve welcomed 3,500 visitors annually over the 15 years. Visitors from all over Australia and the world. I find the reserve of active volunteers has been an on-going success for Yamba Museum and is a major factor in its sustainability.

 

Together, these two stand-out achievements, established over many years, have given Yamba Museum a high profile in our community, within the Far North Coast chapter of museums and at state level.  Donations to our collection are growing as the community is confident in how they are cared for and used in displays.

 

YM has expanded and improved through grants from state and federal government, the Yulgilbar Foundation, community organisations, clubs and the Commonwealth Bank. I’d like to acknowledge the on-going opportunities for long term viability from Clarence Valley Council, through its strategic plans and marketing programs, Community Initiatives grants and the Museum Advisor program. We rely on this support.

 

The association of this birthday with the symbolic qualities of the ruby gemstone is appropriate – there’s considerable passion, loyalty and a sense of protectiveness about our museum. Members champion Yamba Museum to be a vital part of our cultural life. This is what we all strive for in our volunteering work. One example is our latest publication Yamba Across Two World Wars, 1914-1945, compiled by Researcher John McNamara – unable to be with us today, but available for sale at $40.

 

Our pride in Yamba Museum and sense of responsibility as custodians is strong. I like to think about this in terms of the French word “soigneurs”, meaning carers, used in the Tour de France cycling event held in July. Yamba Museum has welcomed and farewelled dozens of soigneurs over the last 40 years – I honour them all.

 

My congratulations to the Planning Team: Anne Dinham as facilitator, Jan Angelo, Brenda Salisbury, Marg Lawrence, John McNamara, Meredith Bates, Vicki Jermyn. Special thankyou to Susan Ong and John Marcus.

 

Happy Ruby Birthday Yamba Museum