History’s future forged

By Casey Neill
EMERALD Museum members are calling on people from all walks of life to help rejuvenate the vital local history resource.
More than 40 people shared ideas to secure the museum’s future at a brainstorming meeting at Emerald Community House on 8 August.
Cardinia Shire Council questioned its future after committee and volunteer numbers dropped to dire levels, with the board currently without a secretary and president.
But committee members and volunteers hope to turn the situation around.
“People were interested,” volunteer Beryl Bartacek said.
“They all have very good ideas.”
Ms Bartacek and her peers are working towards reinstituting a Friends of Emerald Museum group in a bid to attract volunteers and committee members with various skills “and a bit of spare time”.
Committee member Kevin Teasdale said they would also investigate forming an alliance with Emerald Community House and a closer relationship with Puffing Billy to boost visitation.
Blue Hills Lapidary Club has offered to display local gemstones at the museum. “This could lead to increased visitation as a result of engaging additional primary school interest,” Mr Teasdale said.
“The primary school (students) are already staunch supporters of the museum and benefit from regular class visits hosted by the museum.”
Emerald Community House co-ordinator Mary Farrow said Emerald Primary School students contributed strongly to discussions at the brainstorming session.
“Some of the kids wrote that visiting the museum was the best day of their life,” she said.
Students said the museum should be open more often and suggested locating a pool or skate park alongside it. Ms Farrow suggested forming a junior school committee, with one collective vote to help bolster the ailing committee.
“That way you start to involve a few more groups,” she said.
“It’s important to increase that number to spread the decision making around. It’s all about expanding their thinking.”
Emerald Primary School principal Mark Carver said the museum’s collection contributed to classroom learning areas.
“It’s a vital part of our school community as well as the wider community,” he said.
“It’s about appreciating the history of the area.”