THREE Upper Yarra historians were honoured with life memberships at the reopening of the Upper Yarra Museum.
The museum was closed for six months during extensive restoration work, and was officially reopened by Yarra Ranges mayor and O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child on Wednesday 27 March.
The Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society is preparing for this year’s annual Crank Up and thought the mini opening was a great chance to let the community know they are back in business.
External restoration work, funded by a State Government grant, was matched by the internal collection and preservation work funded by the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise, Yarra Ranges Council and Museum Victoria.
Volunteers even have their own research space to help catalogue, process and digitise the vast collection.
UYVHS members Dorothy Cooper, Joan Knight and Bob Brookes were all honoured for their commitment to the museum, especially in its earlier days when it was first founded and in the time since.
UYVHS president Keith Johnson said the restoration work had made an incredible difference.
“Over the decades people have done a lot of work and contributed time, energy and money to keep our history alive,” he said.
“We’ve had good times, but we must acknowledge it’s also been a bumpy ride.”
Mr Johnson said the volunteers had done a tremendous amount of work over the last five months.
Dorothy Cooper is a link to the museum’s beginning. Her husband Stan was a founding member, but Dorothy has contributed much of her own time and continues to be a cultural and historical activist for the area.
Joan Knight was president of the UYVHS for six years and was a quiet achiever who led the society through difficult times.
Bob Brookes joined the society in 1996, and has held various committee posts, including as the current treasurer for 12 accumulated years. His knowledge of the collection, locals, and the society’s story has been critical to how the museum is emerging today.
