MEMBERS of the Kerang Museum are preparing to display their recent restorations at the Kerang Museum Heritage Days this weekend.
For years, the museum has displayed many items from farming machinery to military memorabilia that provide insight into the history of the region.
President of the Kerang Museum Gerard Hastie has some displays at the museum featuring his family from three generations ago.
While the museum is open every Sunday afternoon, Mr Hastie is encouraging everyone from Kerang and beyond to visit for the annual heritage days.
“It’s for anyone of any age to enjoy, whether or not you are passionate about your local history,” he said.
“You can learn so much about what was happening here a hundred years ago and even longer than that.
“We’ve got so many things happening over the days.”
This year’s heritage days will feature demonstrations from a blacksmith and dairy farmers and antiques from visiting exhibitors.
“The blacksmith was very popular last year,” Mr Hastie said.
“We’ve got him back this time along with the dairy display and mobile pipe organ music which will be loud enough to attract visitors from outside.”
Items that have been restored and preserved by members of the museum will be in display including a 1952 MG TD sports car donated to the museum in 2021.
“The weekend is about displaying what the members have been able to restore over the last year, but the MG will still be displayed even though it is an ongoing project,” Mr Hastie said.
The funds from the weekend will be going towards restoring the old Koondrook tram which ran on the Kerang-Koondrook tram line established in 1889 and closed in 1981.
Mr Hastie said as the museum’s collection kept expanding, the aging members also would need more helping hands to restore and preserve items.
“We have 35 members but we’re always looking for new ones because our collection is quite large now and will take a lot to maintain,” he said.
“Some of the older members are finding it hard so we’re looking for young ones to step in and help.”
The annual Kerang Museum Heritage Days will be held on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September from 9am to 4pm at 17 Museum Drive, Kerang.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and school-aged children can attend free.
For event enquires, ring 0412 487 854.
