RELICS of the district’s past continue to be restored and preserved by a willing band of volunteers.
Engines that powered shearing plants and pumped water, cars and trucks from a bygone era and horse-drawn wagons and farm implements have all been brought to life by the enthusiastic team of workers at the Kerang Historical Society’s museum.
Work continues on restoring other exhibits to their former glory.
That local history will be on show at the society’s annual Heritage Day tomorrow from 11am at the Museum Drive site.
The museum, established in one of Kerang’s oldest homes and a series of adjacent sheds, has tens of thousands of exhibits.
“The great thing about most of our collection is that it is local,” society president, Colin Day said.
A team of members gather each week to work on restoration projects on exhibits donated to the society.
The Heritage Day starts with a street parade through the shopping centre at 10am.
The museum’s social and farming collection of tools and machinery will be open to the public and special features include sheep shearing with hand and mechanical shears at 11.30am and 1pm. Cream will be separated from milk in a hand-operated separator at 12.30pm.
From the inside of our forebears’ homes, there are vintage hand-turned sewing machines. You will have the opportunity to try your hand at sewing a bunting flag on the hand-turned sewing machine and win a prize.
Partly restored trucks used by local cartage firm Dalzell and Walkington during the 1930s and one of the early Quambatook tractor competitors will be on show.
Other regular features at the Heritage Day include a town tour at 1.30pm, where to start tracing your family tree, the valuation of your collectibles for a small price between 12 noon and 2pm and a display of vintage cars.
The barbecue has been extended to include a bigger variety of food and Devonshire tea is available throughout the day. Entry fee is $5.
