While there's still plenty of work to be done, Moree and District Historical Society is well on its way to establishing a museum for Moree.
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Members of the historical society have been busy working to restore the old Lands building in Frome Street to its former glory, ever since Moree Plains Shire Council acquired the building in 2019.
The iconic building is set to be the home of a new historical museum in Moree, and is under a secure 15-year lease from council to ensure this happens.
The colonial-style building is itself a piece of history, having being built of local timber in 1893, designed by government architect Walter Liberty Vernon.
"The one storey building took nine months to complete, the additional storey completed in 1902-03, presumably to raise the structure out of flood reach," Moree and District Historical Society publicity officer Jane Rohde said.
"A fire ravaged parts of the building in 1980, after which it was fully restored and went on to secure an award. It remains on the state heritage listing today."
Since acquiring the building, the MDHS has secured grant funding from a number of sources to help establish the museum, which Mrs Rohde said is a "monumental task".
The most recent grant was $12,700 from council's 2020 Community Enhancement Fund, financially supported by the Moree Solar Farm, to replace the carpet in the building.
The new carpet was laid a few months ago, and lays the foundation for the museum in the upstairs section of the building.
Each Monday and Tuesday, members of the historical society meet at the building, where they work to clean, categorise historical pieces, undertake research and put together exhibits for the establishment of the museum.
They are currently working on their first exhibition which will be the Sporting Hall of Fame, inclusive of former and current Moree district sportspeople.
The exhibition will feature many vintage photographs and sporting paraphernalia, as well as an interactive virtual program, subject to grant funding.
As well as the Sporting Hall of Fame, the new museum will feature other photos from the historical society's collection and a family bible from Moree's founder Mary Brand.
"There will also be a display of plaques from businesses that are no longer in Moree, trophies won by Moree sportsmen and women, old shop ledgers from McIntosh Store, Crane & Co Stock and Station Agents, a collection of work books from Midkin dating back to the 1900s," Moree and District Historical Society member Michael McNamara said.
"The Moree Race Club has also donated its records and minutes books to the Historical Society and the exhibition will also include some early furnishings such as a washing machine, sewing machines, heaters, a cooker, typewriters, and scales."
MDHS welcome all donations of historical artefacts, as well as new members, and financial assistance to help them establish the museum.
"The support of the Moree region is to be very much encouraged, and greatly appreciated," Mrs Rohde said.
"We at the historic society, are all eager for the Moree community to assist with support in any way possible, from photographs, family history, donations of time and monetary value, historical items, particularly items or photographs with proven provenance and an interesting story.
"The volunteer brigade of the Moree Historic Society are all very determined this museum will be a success and will in turn become another incredible tourist attraction with deep roots to the region, providing both education and connection to our amazing natural attributes of the Moree Plains Shire district."
Meanwhile, MDHS is also preparing to release the second volume of Moree's Anzacs.
The book will be launched at the Moree Museum, at 40 Frome Street, in November, with Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton to attend.
If you would like to contribute to Moree and District Historical Society, email mdhsmoree@hotmail.com or call the society's secretary on 0407 522 841.
