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Jason Cortese showed visitors how hay was baled more than 70 years ago at the annual heritage day event. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 12
Visitors could buy merchandise from the general store, which was in full operation durign heritage day. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 12
Paddle steamer models on display. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 12
Finley Nilbett age 4, and siblings Lewis age 5, and Mia Cavallaro age 3 at the annual Merrigum Historical Society Heritage Day. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 12
Liam Moore next to old equipment at the annual heritage day. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 12
An old organ added to the atmosphere at this year’s heritage day in Merrigum. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 12
Dot Bailey out the front of the general store with a plate of treats. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 12
Nicola Ganino age 4 with her grandfather Joseph Ganino. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 12
Melea Fordyce with her dog Bailey at this year’s heritage day. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 12
Dot Bailey and Dianne Moore stand in front of an exhibit which included old telephones and other household items. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 12
Mum Alison with daughter Layla Fitzsimmons age 10 months. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 12
Keith and Ina Hogeboom enjoying the heritage day event in Merrigum. Photo by Megan FisherSunshine and the promise of old-time fun brought dozens of people out to the annual Merrigum Historical Society Heritage Day this weekend.
On Sunday, April 13, organisers estimated more than 200 people would end up attending the event, which featured a range of exhibits.
“It is to demonstrate some of the old skills,” Merrigum Historical Society president Bryan Fitzsimmons said.
“Younger generations may have no idea about what went on back in the earlier days.”
“We’re losing the old skills, so we want to showcase some of those skills you no longer see,” Historical Society treasurer Nora Fitzsimmons added.
Visitors got to see a glimpse of how things were done in the 1940s.
Among other things, the skills of lace making, butter churning, and hay baling were on display.
There were also vintage scale-model steam engines, wood turning, and more.
Clare Johnston has been running a stall at the event for about six years.
She is one of a handful of women in the world who make cricket bats from start to finish by hand.
“I used to play cricket and I like making things and I just thought, wow, what an interesting thing to do,” Ms Johnston said.
“It’s an old craft, and it just appealed to me.”
Most cricket bats are targeted to men, but Ms Johnston said she can make bats for women, taking the time to get the weight distribution and handle just right.
She said it is good for people to be able to see her process and understand where things come from.
“It comes from a tree, somebody has chosen that wood for that purpose.”
Ms Johnston said there’s also a sustainability message since the wood she uses is grown in Victoria.
New this year was a demonstration of the re-barrelling of an old Furphy water tank.
Using the same process that would have been used decades ago, Josh Powles removed the bands from a rusted tank used from 1898 to roughly 1920, and heated them on an open fire before placing them on a new tank.
Mr Powles is curator of the Furphy museum within the Museum of Vehicle Evolution in Shepparton.
He began his own collection of historic items from the iconic Furphy & Sons business when he was just 14 years old.
The heritage day is the main fundraiser for the Merrigum Historical Society museum each year.
The museum regularly displays a range of historical items from local organisations, as well as old photographs.
Mr Fitzimmons said he acknowledged apologetically that the museum does not currently contain any Aboriginal heritage.