Successful first year for museum

 

Mangawhai Museum and Historical Society chair, Christine Bygrave, will report on a successful first year of operation for the museum when the society’s AGM is held at the museum at 3pm on Friday May 20.

The museum, which opened in December 2014 after years of work by volunteers planning and constructing the building and exhibits, continues to grow in popularity for visitors including clubs and schools who travel from places such as Auckland and Whangarei to see a vibrant, modern museum, Mrs Bygrave told the Focus.

“The support from the community and from the many visitors to the museum has been an exciting and rewarding part of the year for the people who had the vision and dedication to build this great community asset, which is firmly in place for current and future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

Mrs Bygrave said fundraising and grant applications are a necessary fact of life in balancing the books for museums all across New Zealand and for many national organisations.

“Even Starship, the elite children’s hospital in New Zealand, has to campaign for funds.”

She is pleased her Board has a rigorous plan in place to ensure Mangawhai Museum explores all opportunities to secure funds, and continues to build on the great work of the community and enjoy an exciting future.

The Focus recently noted a grant application the Museum has made to Kaipara District Council, and the Museum Chair said that is one of a number of grant applications the Board will continue to lodge.

“The Museum is a wonderful asset to Mangawhai and the region. It is self-funding, and we are intent on ensuring we do all we can to raise money to supplement the growing revenue we receive from visitors, and the outstanding backing we receive from our many supporters and volunteers.”

One way people can support the museum is by becoming a Friend of the Museum – a membership which provides free entry throughout the year. Museum Manager Emma Gray (phone 431 4645) will be pleased to provide information about membership and volunteering.

Meanwhile Mrs Bygrave invites anyone from the community to attend the annual meeting on May 20 to hear more about the museum and its operations.
 

Highlights of the year * The volunteers who work at the museum, fulfilling so many tasks, including receiving visitors, working in the cafe or as guides and educators, and other long-serving and hard-working members of the team who maintain and improve the building and the exhibits. * The growing use of the museum for community functions and fund-raisers, like the Mangawhai Singers and Do Re Mi Quartet, and a wine-tasting featuring local wine growers for supporters. * Combining with other community events like the Walking Weekend, when walkers visited the Big Dig exhibition on the reopening of the harbour entrance. * Special exhibitions - The War Comes to Mangawhai exhibition which commemorated the sinking of the Niagara by a German mine off the Hen and Chicken Islands in 1940, and the John Ernest Foster art exhibition which will open in mid-2016. * The many and varied fundraising activities, such as the Book Fair organised by Graeme Smith and his many fellow volunteers for so many years, auctions, garage sales and sports tournaments, and the financial support of sponsors.