Lockhart’s museum is looking to the future with plans to expand almost a reality.
The Greens Gunyah Museum is just weeks away from moving into the building next door once environmental checks are approved.
Purchasing the old Billabong Motors Building has been an ongoing process with pledges from individuals and one grant making up the bulk of money raised.
Lockhart Shire Council will contribute a proportion and provide a loan for the museum to purchase the building.
Pledges from residents have reached $52,000 and a $15,000 grant was awarded from Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal.
Lockhart Historical Society president Heather Trevaskis said they will continue to apply for grants to cover the cost of the purchase but they couldn’t miss the chance for expansion.
“It is too good an opportunity (if it meets environmental checks) to allow it to pass by,” she said.
The results from the environmental report are expected to be ready in coming weeks.
While the expansion is looking to the future, volunteers at the museum are also looking to the past and trying to preserve their photos and documents.
A $1000 grant was awarded to the museum to assist with costs of archival materials.
The grant will help with preserving items at the museum but won’t go far in terms of the sheer volume of items they have to protect.
“We are working our way through it – we are run by volunteers so we do what we can,” Mrs Trevaskis said.
