May 13, 2015
After months of worrying about their future, the management committee of Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum have received some unexpected good news … they’ve won another important award recognising their work.
And more importantly, the award – the John Oxley Library Community History Award – brings with it prize money of $5000.
It’s nowhere near the amount the group needs to keep its four staff employed after June, but it’s a start … and the committee also has high hopes there may be more good news in the wind.
Last month, Cherbourg community leaders and residents sent an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Deputy PM Warren Truss calling for more support for The Ration Shed following its failure to secure necessary assistance from the Federal Government’s new “Indigenous Advancement Strategy” funding system.
The Open Letter was accompanied by a petition containing more than 250 signatures from Cherbourg residents.
“We could have got more but we had a deadline,” management committee spokesman Bevan Costello said on Tuesday.
However, he said the committee had been overwhelmed with the support it had received from the South Burnett community and schools since the bad news about the funding situation had been publicised: “People have been coming up and asking how they can support us.”
The committee has now received a letter in reply from Mr Truss which has given them a glimmer of hope.
The Deputy PM notes in his letter that the Department of Indigenous Affairs has “offered to work with The Ration Shed on its proposal to become self-sustaining”.
“I have also written to the Minister For Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion and asked him if it is possible to review your application so that The Ration Shed and its associated infrastructure can be upgraded. I have communicated to Minister Scullion that this funding would assist in improving the financial viability of The Ration Shed and help to ensure its sustainability.”
Mr Truss continued: “The Ration Shed Museum is a great asset to the community of Cherbourg and I appreciate the vital role that it plays in telling the Cherbourg story, as well as supporting local volunteers and providing jobs.”
While the committee members hold their breath hoping they will gain the support they are seeking from the Federal Government, they now say the best thing that local residents can do to help The Ration Shed is to register for the Reconciliation Fun Run which is being held on Sunday from Murgon to Cherbourg.
Funds raised are going to assist the museum.
“If people support the Fun Run, they will also be showing support for The Ration Shed – and we may even be able to keep the four staff on for another month,” Bevan said.
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The John Oxley award recognises excellence and innovation in the preservation and sharing of Queensland history by community organisations.
The judging panel selected The Ration Shed because of the success of its Cherbourg Memory Project and the Boys From Barambah exhibition.
“Through the museum’s extensive education program (both onsite and online) The Ration Shed has celebrated and shared many stories from the community with the world,” the judges noted.
The award will be presented to representatives from The Ration Shed at a ceremony in Brisbane on May 28.
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