The president of Cundletown and Lower Manning Historical Society knew $23,385 would soon be banked and soon be spent on fencing, a pathway and lighting for the new pavilion at Cundletown Museum. 

The society was one of 70 groups to submit a funding application to MidCoast Council for its Stronger Communities Grants program. Only 17 applications were successful and just five were allocated to groups in the Manning area of the MidCoast Council region.

Margaret knows a thing or two about fundraising, and government grant applications are part of the mix that has enabled the new pavilion to be built, but it has been a labour of love that has required Margaret and other society volunteers to work hard and be creative with fundraising.

In March 2015 Margaret said the society was “desperate for funds” and at that stage the pavilion shed frame was being erected on site. Since then the society has hosted a high tea and fashion parade, coach trips, luncheons and events to raise money.

The November 29 cheque presentation by MidCoast Council was a windfall flagged to fund the work required for the society to secure an occupation certificate.

“It is very exciting and we have started to put things in the museum but we aren’t allowed to open it to the public at this stage,” Margaret said.

“We are keen to get it finished. Our funded project is ‘preserving the past for the future’ and primarily it’s the dairy industry because it is in dire straits at the moment and we need to preserve the history for future generations.”

Margaret said the fundraising would continue as $29,000 was needed to do the museum carpark but was hoping the federal government may present the society with a giant cheque.

“We have a grant application in but we haven’t heard yet – that would be nice.”