Finding purpose in the past

THOSE interested in preserving the past of the Renmark Paringa district are encouraged to dedicate some of their time to assisting in the “never-ending” lists of restoration projects for a local historical museum.

Though enjoying juggling a range of roles – including the repair and restoration of machinery and exhibits, assisting in the ‘Fruit Salad Block’, conducting tours, and cataloguing and ground maintenance – The Paringa Community Museum chairman Wayne Howell said the current crew of volunteers are seeking fresh members.

“The projects and to-do list are never-ending – that is why we’re always looking for more volunteers and more skill sets,” he said.

“There is something for everyone here at the Renmark Paringa Community Museum – it’s a great community space, and can give someone a purpose to get out of bed and enjoy your life.”

Currently, the Paringa Community Museum features more than 90 Vintage Stationary Engines – most in working order – and a variety of exhibits, including on the Frank Turton Black Stump and PS Industry Display, plus eight buildings containing extensive agricultural and horticultural local history.

However, the local museum also features a variety of ‘work-in-progress’ items and displays.

“We have quite a few projects underway – we never not have something to do,” Mr Howell said.

“This includes restoring (an original) train carriage – just in time for the 2027 celebration of 100 years of the Paringa Bridge – plus building our new work shed, and an Angove Family Winemaker display, which will include two of the only mechanically driven harvesters in South Australia.

“Additionally, we also recent acquired two original paddle-boat metal wheels from Liba Liba Houseboats.”

A WWII gas producer has been one of the most recent additions to the ‘project list’, which after a visitor shared how rare the piece of machinery was, volunteers decided they would attempt to restore it to working condition.

“We had a gentleman inform us how rare these WWII gas producers were, having only seen now two of them across 100 museums he has visited,” Mr Howell said.

“This was used to burn charcoal to produce gas during war fuel rationings – while it might have been only 25 to 50 per cent as effective as petrol or diesel, at least it was something for the community.”

Mr Howell said preserving a past to look back on was “very important” for the district, and wider community.

“This museum isn’t just for our older generation, but for our young people too,” he said.

“If we don’t pass on these stories of history, it disappears.”