Museum volunteers Kerry, Deb, Margie and Helene have been perfecting the art of lantern making in preparation for the upcoming ‘Illuminate our Heritage’ festival in August. Photo: Vanessa Hayden.
Let there be light!
Jindera Museum will hold its inaugural “Illuminate our Heritage” festival on 2, 3 and 4 August to mark the start of its fundraising campaign for the construction of a new building at the popular historical precinct.
A highlight of the event will be ‘Laternelaufen’, a community lantern walk through the main street of Jindera with colour, kindness and light at the heart of the German tradition.
Museum president Margie Wehner said the festival was the biggest event on their 2024 calendar and would see the walk as part of a larger showcase which would include a nightly sound and light show inside the museum grounds featuring fire twirlers, bush poetry, music and silent film.
“There has been a real surge in growth and popularity of light shows in recent years and we thought that the museum grounds, the old buildings and all of the historic equipment would look incredible all lit up.
“It already has a very special ambience here and we think this will take it to a new level.
“We’ve seen how popular Albury’s Aurora show is and some of us have been to the Bullanginya Dreaming light show in Cobram which was brilliant; we thought Jindera deserved a show of its own.”
The festival signals the start of a significant effort by the museum committee – to raise several hundred thousand dollars for a new, more contemporary presence at the centre.
The vision involves more interactive experiences, special exhibitions, a greater focus on education, improving archival systems and developing a large undercover space to better accommodate visiting schools and coach groups.
The Jindera Museum is open seven days a week and hosts a 12-month program of events. Photo: Supplied.
The Jindera Museum has been operating continuously for more than 56 years and says it’s time to secure its future as an important regional attraction by expanding the centre.
Margie says it is critical the museum maintains its status as an important attraction and events like the ‘Illuminate’ festival were essential in raising much needed funds for expansion.
“We want to grow and continue to be able to attract people to the township from around the region and further afield and to have visitors returning for different experiences,” she said.
“This is more than a museum, it’s living history, it is like the people living here have just stepped out. It provides a really important snapshot into what life was like more than 150 years ago and how the world has significantly changed in that time.”
The museum and its annual events program bring about 5000 people through the doors each year.
“The funds raised from these activities cover the costs of maintenance, some marketing and general improvements but are not enough to pay for a new centre,” said Margie.
“Our fundraising drive hopes to raise several hundred thousand dollars. As part of this we hope to partner with a few businesses who are just as interested in preserving this unique heritage as we are.
“We are hoping that we can raise funds locally, attract some interest from the private sector and also obtain some grant funding through the Greater Hume Shire and State and Federal governments.”
She said the non-profit organisation had already saved $150,000 and has architectural plans drawn up, the necessary titles consolidated and the development application approved.
The new arm of the museum precinct will be constructed on the block adjacent to ‘Wagner’s Store’, where the small Cottage Craft Shop currently operates. They will be integrated into the new centre when it is completed.
“This is a massive undertaking for us. The museum has grown from strength to strength in the last decade and we find now that we need additional facilities to cater to the needs of our group and tourism visitors.
“We have significant space here for people to wander and enjoy in an idyllic garden setting set on two acres. There are numerous buildings which house our exhibits and permanent displays, but we need to offer more.
“We want school groups to be able to have more immersive experiences, be able to interact with some of the things from the past and have a space where they can store their bags, listen to a talk or have their lunch undercover out of the weather.
“We’d also like to have special exhibitions that highlight significant collections, travelling shows or moments in time that are important to Australia.”
Kerry Way has been leading the lantern making charge for the museum and has created some beautiful pieces. There will be two workshops as part of the festival. Photo: Vanessa Hayden.
The three-night Illuminate our Heritage festival will see the grounds and exhibits at the museum come to life each night from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. There will be food and drinks available for purchase.
Saturday night’s Lantern Walk will begin at the museum at 5:30 pm and finish in the Village Green by 7 pm where giant pretzels and warmed Gluhwein will be available to ward off the winter chills.
There will be a reenactment of the story of St Martin, the character at the centre of Laternelaufen, which traces its origins back to the middle ages. Legend has it that St Martin, also known as Martin the Merciful, when faced with a shivering beggar clothed in rags, used his sword to cut his own soldier’s cape in half in order to share it.
Local schools have been engaged to create their own lanterns and the museum will be holding two special lantern making workshops (bookings essential) on Sunday 21 July and Saturday 3 August.
Visit Trybooking.com for bookings and details of events or contact the museum on 0408 409 842.
Book the Lantern Walk.
Book the Sound and Light Show.
Book a Lantern Making Workshop.
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