TATURA MUSEUM

Special Medal Presentation

On March 18, Tatura Fire Brigade members and their families gathered for a special medal presentation, timed to coincide with the State Championships in Mooroopna.

The medals were presented by CFA Board Member, Peter Shaw AFSM and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Chief Executive Adam Barnett.

Also present were VFBV State Councilors Cara Disint (Mooroopna) Phill Slender (Tatura) together with VFBV District President Len Balfour (Mooroopna) and representing CFA HQ Shepparton, Commander Peter Dedman.

These Awards recognized the significant contributions the Brigade and Auxiliary members make to the community.

Conservation Project

The Discovered Painting

On October 6, 2022, Heritage Victoria Living Heritage Grant representatives Evelina Ericsson and Anne-Louise Muir met with the Tatura and University of Melbourne representatives to formalize the Living Heritage Grant agreement timeline and deliverables.

It was acknowledged that the work to be undertaken would require the items to be transported to the University’s conservation labs in Melbourne and agreed that the project would commence in early 2023.

A full project plan was completed and approved by Heritage Victoria on December 8, 2022, and a formal Permit Exemption approving the conservation works to proceed was received on December 16, 2022. The photo shows a proud conservator revealing a painting conserved in the last grant. This painting was discovered by the late Ken Gray in the wall of their shearing shed that was an ex-camp hut.

Memorabilia

The museum recently received a sterling silver medallion, about 35mm in diameter with an interesting inscription:

R.C. Sports, Tatura. 1st Prize – Hose & Coupling. Won by L. Martin – 11 April 1898. The medal was given to the museum by the granddaughter of Mr. Martin who was part of the Martin Bros who ran the Saddlery store near the corner of Fryers and Wyndham streets, Shepparton. There is a plaque on the corner building indicating the original place of business. It is noted in the Tatura Fire Brigade book ‘Rungs in the Ladder’ that Mr. Martin was a member of the Tatura Brigade 1897 – 1899.

Dunera Day

The annual ‘Dunera Day’ was held at the Tatura Museum on Sunday, April 16. The guests were addressed by current camp site owners David Mallinder and Jeff Reed and also witnessed the unveiling of the ‘Sergeant Snow White Scroll’ recently conserved by ‘Beyond the Mount’ – Fine Art Conservation, Castlemaine. Afternoon Tea was enjoyed prior to a tour of the Camp 2 site.

CFA Board Member Peter Shaw presented a National Medal to Alan Tyson.

National Medal 10 Year clasps were also presented to Captain Trevor Franklin, Phil Slender and P Fiddes (third clasp), P Bevan, Bill Stockdale, (first clasp).

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria CEO Adam Barnett awarded Phil Hawkey ASM (Euroa) & Bill Stockdale (Tatura) with the VFBV Gold Star Medal for 30 years of exemplary service to the Association.

CFA Commander Peter Dedman presented Ryan and Hayden Fremantle with 5-year service certificates.

Captain Trevor Franklin was presented with a 50-year CFA Service medal.

Martin Rennie accepted a medal awarded to his father Ray Rennie recognizing 55 years’ service to the Brigade and CFA.

VFBV District Councilor Phil Slender officiated in awarding Jenny Bordett with a 45-year badge recognizing her long service to the Brigade Ladies Auxiliary Fire Call. During the proceedings the Brigade was paged to attend a traffic accident on the Midland Highway, and, demonstrating that the Brigade is always available in emergencies, a crew comprising Graeme Johnson, Peter Bevan Josh Johnson and Alan Tyson responded in Tatura Tanker. - Bill Stockdale, Secretary