October 25, 2016
Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum hosted a special visitor on Tuesday as a way to say “thank you” for recent funding.
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced last week that the museum would receive $237,000 from the Federal Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
“Up to the time you rang, I thought someone was playing a joke,” Ration Shed chairperson Aunty Sandra Morgan said.
She said it had been very stressful when the committee had been considering how to keep carrying on, but the grant now had “made our hearts beat faster”.
Aunty Sandra joined with local elders Uncle Eric Law and Aunty Ada Simpson to show Mr O’Brien through the Museum’s many exhibits.
She recalled that 12 years ago, the plan was to do up the old Ration Shed by itself, but other buildings have been added to the area over time, thanks to Cherbourg Aboriginal Council.
Mr O’Brien said it was a great privilege for him to be at the Museum.
He praised Aunty Sandra and her committee for their amazing efforts over the years to create something that now “lies in the heart of the community”.
He said the Committee were very worthy recipients of the funding.
“You have achieved this through your own efforts. This funding wouldn’t have come to you if weren’t considered worthy recipients.”
- Related article: $237,000 Grant For Ration Shed
