WITH the fate of the historic cattle shed at the Taree Showground sealed by an engineer's report in February, show committee members are appealing to Manning residents for information surrounding the historical building.
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The 1978 floods destroyed records regarding the shed, which is thought to have been constructed in 1929 or the early 1930s.
Over the years the shed, which was last used to house cattle in October last year, has developed a noticeable lean.
In February of this year, an engineer's report found that the shed was in immediate danger of collapsing, with a lean of 15 degrees in the support beams identified.
Show committee member Allan Richards said the immediate future of the shed was a community concern.
With a development application currently lodged with Greater Taree City Council, the first stage of the new development will be pulling down the old shed.
The show committee has applied for a grant from the State government to enable the construction of a new shed, but first the committee wants to organise a meeting with users of the showground for consultation about the possible replacement.
Discussion so far has led to ideas about a possible multi-purpose centre, able to be used for housing livestock as well as hosting community events.
Allan said it is important that the history of the iconic shed is documented, especially because so few official records of the shed exist.
He is appealing to anyone with information to help fill in the historical blanks surrounding the sheds.
In particular, Allan said the committee would be interested in talking to anyone aged in their 80s who may have seen the shed being constructed.
Any information that can be gathered would likely help contribute to a historic marker that would be erected with the new shed.
Allan said it was all about remembering the importance of the shed, and agriculture, to the Manning's history.
"It's a big part of the Manning's heritage," Allan said.
lachlan.leeming@fairfaxmedia.com.au