Port of Yamba Historical Society
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Welcome to your Winter Newsletter Issue 14, enjoy the articles and images of what has happened at the Museum over the last 3 months and what new events are planned. Click on one of the buttons above to read a selected article or scroll through the newsletter reading at your leisure. Thankyou to all our members old and new ... A warm welcome to our newest member Helan Tindal.
Our President's Journey
President Lesley and hubby Chris are presently on a long walk across the Cornish (UK) hillside.
“All going well, starting Day 5- often tough going as narrow pathways full of stones; all our bodies are coping so no injuries despite some thigh soreness; coastline scenery spectacularly rugged with edges lined by wildflowers, gorse in particular looks marvellous with bluebells and pink sea thrift; weather very good although cold when sun not strong; v busy with holidaymakers so accommodation is difficult and we book ahead; eating lots of Cornish scones and clotted cream!” Lesley’s report on 17th May.
Lesley reporting on 26th May -
We’re sitting quietly in sunshine in our small holiday unit overlooking the harbour and entrance to the marina at Weymouth in Dorset, UK. The large rescue cruiser for the Royal National Lifeguards Institute is moored opposite and yachts of all sizes motor up and down, heading out towards the Jurassic coastline or white cliffs of the Cretaceous era, or the Isle of Wight.
This morning is our first rest in the past 14 days when we haven’t been kitted up with our packs, boots laced up, faces smothered in zink to walk the Coast Path of south west England. We’ve done 287kms- more than 360,000 steps! Lots of it strenuous, steep inclines and steep descents, rough surfaces, uneven stones, often perilously close to the edge. We started in Padstow in Cornwall- a small town with many seafood shops/cafes owned by TV chef Rick Stein- and finished the first week in Penzance - where I had to buy new trail shoes! A train trip to Exmouth got us into Devon for our second week- rolling lusciously green hills, traipsing through dairy cows and having lunch on the top of Golden Cap, the highest peak on the coast.
Like our walking mates Kerrie Huxham and Angus Fay, we’ve been impressed with spectacular scenery and surprised that all body parts are in order with only minor aches. Weather has been superb. Our 2 museum visits were operated by volunteers- Padstow and Lyme Regis. Now we’re off to London and the Shetlands.
Museum Refurbishment
The past few months have been quiet with visitors but the ‘team’ have been hard at work planning, coordinating and implementing major changes for the mutual benefit of volunteers and visitors.
The old long desk has been relocated to the Flinders Room, now used as storage. Thanks to Tim Pritchett, John McKenny and John Marcus the shorter desk was detached from the wall and reinstated directly opposite the double entry doors. The money drawer was removed from the old desk and built into the new one by Tim. Painted by John McKenny with a few coats done on separate occasions. John also donated the paint.
Susan Ong and John Marcus then set to work changing displays and moving the bookshop creating a lovely open and inviting area to view our stock of books, prints and cards.
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Front desk volunteers have commented on the improved space, creating a more welcoming entry and better flow of movement. One visitor today commented “What a lovely welcome as you walk in the door! Smiling faces greet you and you look across to the display of swimmers on Main Beach and who doesn’t want to see that! The whole area is uncluttered and inviting, well done.” Richard Lee. A Questionnaire was carried out with front desk and Flinders Rm volunteers asking if the front desk stays in the new position and does the current colour of the desk remain?. Of the 25 responses 19 voted Yes for the desk to stay, 1 voted No and 5 Unsure. In regard the colour – 23 voted Yes it stays, 1 No and 1 Unsure. It was obvious the Yes vote has it!
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The Flinders Room has also had a refurb with four new, and very sturdy, office desks arranged for efficiency and permanent work spaces for the back room teams. The Collection Team now have their own work area next to the Collection Room.
Four on the Wall Exhibition
Yamba Museum featured the ‘Four on the Wall” art exhibition by artists Jude McBean, Bruce Zeitsch, Pam Fysh and Skye McKenny. Four artists with distinctive individual styles and something to suit varying tastes. The Exhibition opened on 1st April with in excess of 120 attendees. Entertainment was provided by the local Down River Ukes with a rendition of old and new songs; many of the crowd were caught singing along.
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The ‘Artists' Talk’ held Wednesday 19th April was opened by Mayor Ian Tiley with an informal format inviting the audience to ask questions. Once again a group of 30 very interested people asked multiple questions i.e. what inspired the artists, where did they like to paint, what medium was preferred and what were their favourites and why?
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Each of the artists issued a report after the Exhibition:
Bruce - “Very happy with the exhibition, particularly with regard to the professionalism of the museum volunteers who ensured the hanging and the opening went without incident.
Old Kirk is a nice addition to Yamba’s growing list of amenities .Would definitely recommend to anyone wishing to exhibit .”
Skye - “Four on the Wall exhibition was a great success, opening night being the highlight with 120 people, and all enjoyed the balmy evening in the garden out the front listening to the music and the opening speeches. The volunteers at the museum looked after us very well, thank you to Margaret for her support and to John Marcus who made the hanging painless, while we made decisions on where to hang, mixing up our broad variety of styles. Having Brenda and her team handle the
catering was great, and promotions done by the museum all added to making our experience a pleasant one.
The Kirk Gallery space lends itself well to any exhibition. Thank you too, to the volunteers for putting out and taking in our extra sandwich board sign.”
Pam - “It was an honor to be invited to show my latest art work in the Four On The Wall Exhibition in April at the Yamba Museum.
Group exhibitions allow for a greater variety of mediums and subjects which show off artistic differences .
I did enjoy the opportunity to exhibit with Jude ,Bruce and Skye in the intimate gallery space”.
Jude - “I really enjoyed exhibiting at the Kirk especially with Pam, Bruce and Skye. The support from the museum was great with Margaret organising the opening and the building, John hanging the artwork and the publicity sent out by Gai. Not having to worry about the catering and museum made it easy. The Kirk is a beautiful space to present work in.”