No Bull Real Estate

HOW DID IT COMMENCE?

In 1985, West Wallsend High School History Teacher, Brian Hayes, motivated by a keen interest in the local history, trialled a project, “Setting up a School Museum”, under the Participation and Equity Program. This included sending the students out into the community to interview older residents. Coming at the right time, the school was overwhelmed with the response. Local historians were keen to preserve the local history. The community handed over many items, pleased that their local history was being preserved in this way. West Wallsend and its surrounds is a community rich in local historical interest.  A particular asset was that unlike most communities, the area over the years remained basically unchanged, retaining its country village outlook.  It also has its share of ghost towns in the surrounding bushland. Residents came through times of depression and wars, and therefore no stranger to the need to hoard things.  Garages and sheds abounded with articles and machinery that “might be needed someday”!  Thanks to that, the Museum has some great things on display. Brian was in a quandary, what could be done with this rich accumulation of history arriving at the school?  First of all he had to convince the School Authorities that a museum was in the best interests of the students. This achieved, he had to find a building that could house the collection. This was successful, and with help of the students, teachers, and members of the community, the collection was suitably displayed for visitors and proved a useful resource for the students. 

WHAT HAPPENED THEN?   
By 1986, the museum was ready to open to the public.  Newspaper articles on the museum mentioned that the students used to say that “History was boring”, now it had become “Can we do the Museum again today, Sir?” The museum satisfied the aims of education, and became a place where students were encouraged to explore their cultural heritage. The collection outgrew the allotted classroom, and another project began, to build the second building which houses the domestic and research section of the museum.  Completed in 1996, it was styled as a replica mining cottage, complete with wooden roofing tiles on the verandah. Brian Hayes was posted to another school, and towards the end of the 1990s, although the museum was still available to the public, it gradually slipped into the background.  Concerned residents, kept saying “We really need to do something about this resource” but it wasn’t until 2005, when a notice was placed in the local “Neighbourhood News”, that those people said, “Okay! It is time! Let’s get a move on”. The initial meeting with the High School Principal, to discuss opening the museum on an official basis, was attended by just a couple of interested residents, soon there were two more volunteers, and a few months later, they were joined by another supporter, who had been part of the support group of workers in the 1990’s.  Another volunteer joined the ranks recently.  This remains the core group today. Originally the museum opened once a month, but quickly became weekly during school terms. No Bull Real Estate kindly donated the Museum Information Sign at the front of the school, advising the public of opening times. In October 2007, the museum celebrated the 21st anniversary of the museum opening.  Brian Hayes with many others, joined in the celebrations.  The volunteers appreciate the support of the community and local businesses.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE MUSEUM?
During 2009, it was realised that if the volunteers wanted to be successful in gaining grants to improve the museum, they needed to become an incorporated group, complete with ABN number.  Mount Sugarloaf is visible from far and near, and as the museum preserves the history of the entire local area, the name Sugarloaf & District Heritage Group Inc. was chosen.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?  
The museum now approaches its 24th birthday, and there are plans for renaming the two buildings. The Mining Section is to become the “Ern Lambert Building” in recognition of all he did for the museum.  The Domestic building will become known as the “Brian Hayes Building” in recognition of him being the motivator.  Without his drive and enthusiasm, the museum would not exist.  The signs were made by Multicam Routing Systems P/L with timber donated by Marshalls Timber P/L. The unveiling is planned at 10.30 am on Wednesday 27th October 2010. It is still just a small group of volunteers, working enthusiastically in preserving local history, they love talking to their visitors and showing them around the complex. There is excitement when visitors come along with artefacts that they think would be good to add to the collection.

WHAT DOES THE MUSEUM CONTAIN? 
Mining, Industrial, Commercial Business items and photos. There is a new display of memorabilia from the West Wallsend Fire Station, which closed when the new station opened at Holmesville in July 2010.  On view is West Wallsend Bowling Club memorabilia, and a historic stuffed bird collection from the Museum Hotel (that is a story in itself). Domestic items include very old handmade clothing, sewing equipment, house furnishings including ice chests, plus so much more.  In the Research Section, there are family and town histories, school and area photos, a great collection of maps and drawings from the closed Stockton Borehole Colliery at Teralba. There is also ongoing research, for local war involvement. Local histories are on sale.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO ENTER?   
We request a minimum of a gold coin donation.  The museum is a non profit making concern, and therefore this support helps us acquire necessities.
WHAT IS NEEDED?   
More helpers!  If you are interested in history, can give the museum some time - either on an ‘on call’ basis in emergencies, or able to help out on a regular basis, then this will ensure that the museum continues showing our students, local residents and visitors what it was like to live here in times gone by.

Altogether, this is a museum to be placed on the ‘Must See’ list.