A multi-million dollar expansion of the Tweed River Regional Museum at Murwillumbah has reached a major milestone with the pouring of the foundation slab for the extension.
The building contractor has completed demolition and site preparation since February, and Museum Director Judy Kean said work was on schedule despite a run of wet weather.
“Removal of additions made at various times over the past 80 or so years has revealed the very beautiful original 1915 Council Chambers building,” Ms Kean said.
“Now that the site is completely clear and the footprint of new extensions set out, it is also possible to appreciate just how substantial the new extension will be.
Tweed Mayor Barry Longland said it was interesting at this time to look back over the history of this important civic building.
“Particularly as the Museum collection includes a photograph of then councillors, including Shire President Councillor Brasnett, at the laying of the original building foundation stone on the 8th July of 1915.
“It seems only fitting that part of the work currently being undertaken by Museum staff and Historical Society volunteers in preparation for reopening of the museum next year includes extensive research into the history of the original building.
“I am delighted that this information will be used to interpret the long and varied life of this important heritage building, which has been at the centre of much of the Shire’s history.”
Ms Kean said an extensive newspaper article published at the time made for interesting reading.
It revealed: “A bottle in which the last balance sheet of the Council was enclosed … was embedded in the cement at the rear of the [foundation stone] when placed in position”.
The article also quotes speeches from Councillors Brasnett and Murphy, and Ms Kean said some of Cr Brasnett’s comments still had resonance today.
The article said Cr Brasnett “had no hesitation in saying that [the] Shire was the most naturally favoured Shire, not only in the State but in the whole of the Commonwealth; so also was its growth without precedent”.
According to the article, Cr Brasnett “thereupon declared the stone well and truly laid” and “an adjournment was then made to the Imperial Hotel to do the honours”.
Construction and renovation of the Tweed River Regional Museum at Murwillumbah will continue well into the second half of 2013, with the Museum’s reopening scheduled for the first half of 2014.
