GRAEME Stoney has been returned as president for the Mansfield Historical Society for another 12 months.
“This will be my last term as president,” Mr Stoney commented after being elected unopposed.
“I will stay in this position as I want to see the new museum project completed which should happen within the next year,” he said.
Mr Stoney said with the announcement of the expected commencement date for the museum, a tentative date for the ‘turning of the first sod’ has been set for February 19, 2024 and construction is expected to be completed within one year.
Mansfield Shire Mayor Cr James Tehan was present and conducted the election of office bearers and committee for the coming year.
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Vice President is Jenny Delaforce while Ann Ware was elected as secretary, both being unopposed.
Peter Gardner was also re-elected as treasurer – unopposed.
The current committee was also re-elected with the exception that two new members will join the committee.
Discussion was held on membership fees and a re-structuring to cater for single members, volunteers and students.
Three options were put forward by committee member Tim Skinner and after lengthy discussion and suggestions a motion was put to the members reading that membership should be: Adult household and dependent children $60; Students $25; and adult households where at least one is a volunteer at the society $45.
The motion was carried.
Mr Stoney reminded all present that the society still needed to raise around $500,000 to fit out the new museum.
Before the annual meeting was closed Mr Stoney asked Margaret Adcock to step forward and to her surprise she was awarded a life membership of the society recognising her dedicated work and support over many years.
Mrs Adcock said “I am honored and have been a volunteer for quite a lot of organisations – this is very much a surprise.”
Following the closure of the AGM Mr Stoney introduced Mayor Tehan and asked him to give members an update on some of the shire projects currently underway.
Cr Tehan outlined the roadworks under construction, parks and gardens works, outlying smaller community consultations and plans in the making.
Cr Mark Holcombe, also present for the meeting, outlined a few additional aspects of council work saying that not all projects were ‘out there and seen’ but much behind the scenes was being carried out.
The meeting concluded with an afternoon tea.
The Mansfield Historical Society’s present home base is at The Station and is open to the public each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm or by special appointment.
