ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Sunday 23^rd October 2022

A food laden table, flowers and the ancient reed organ on display indicated a celebration of bygone days; and so it was: the Annual General Meeting of the Walpole Nornalup and District Historical Society Inc. on Sunday afternoon 23^rd October 2022.

In opening the meeting, the Society's President, Elizabeth Shaw, welcomed everyone and immediately proposed one minute silence in memory of passed foundation and life member Elizabeth Gerner.

In her  Annual Report, the President drew attention to this being the 30^th anniversary of the society. The foundation meeting was held in Pioneer Cottage Walpole on 12th March 1992. She said: "much has been achieved over the past 30 years, by very many dedicated people: hours of research and compiling history of the area and we say a big thank you to them all". The report also highlights a number of events during the year significant to the Society.

The Treasurer's report also testified to a vibrant organisation and a committee was elected for another two years: Elizabeth Shaw continuing as its President.

For many years now Society Members: Helen and Ian Gallash have shown great interest in the Society's work and supported it in a number of ways including fund raising through generous production of very special jams and pickles for resale (available at the Walpole Community Resource Centre) with entire proceeds going to the Society. The President acknowledged that support by presenting them with a certificate.

The meeting concluded with afternoon tea and members took the opportunity to take a look at a  historic folding organ that was used in the district's group settlement days with an accompanying display and Estey Organ Museum video featuring this model folding organ built between 1916 and 1940. Historical Society life member Helen Pierce (1920-2015) wrote about those days: “On the spiritual side, settlers remember gathering around a little organ taken everywhere and found the words of the old familiar hymns a great comfort.”

Also on display were  site plans for a Shannon Historic Precinct Museum proposed by the Society and supported by the Shire of Manjimup. This long held idea of a museum in Walpole contemplates two old Shannon Mill sheds donated by Parks and Wildlife (currently in the Light Industrial Area) being relocated to join the original Shannon Hall (now Walpole Community Hall) where the gazebo is. The gazebo will be relocated to vacant land just north of the Walpole Community Resources Centre. This will be the beginning of a very special space: Walpole and District Museum and Shannon Mill Historic Precinct.