Michaela Meade
Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden is using a unique medium to exhibit the history of Edgars Creek and help the community reconnect with its past.
The Thomastown museum has created a postal exhibition for the Thomastown and Lalor community to turn back the clock and reflect on local history.
Manager Gordon Johnston said the exhibition, titled Turning Back to Edgars Creek, was created from his own reflection.
“I thought about the area’s history, from when it was established… to now,” Mr Johnston said.
“That led me to think about our relationship with the creek.
“When it was first established, all the farms [surrounding it] had access to the creek.
“As Thomastown and Lalor developed, most of the houses, the back of the house was towards the creek, it wasn’t necessarily seen as an asset.
“But as [the area] develops more, the notion of open space and the use of the creek is going to become more important.”
Mr Johnston said he wanted to remind the community that museums still had an important part to play in people’s lives.
“We’re relevant, and have relevant stories to tell,” he said.
“One of the really big things for museums [is] to just try and make themselves more relevant and accessible.
“[The postal exhibition] is a way of doing that.
“It’s old fashioned in some ways, but it’s a way of giving people access… straight into your letterbox.”
Mr Johnston said the response so far has been “great”.
“People are thankful that someone’s done it,” he said.
“A lot of people are saying to us they had no idea of the significance of the creek.
“It’s been really positive.”
A physical version of the Turning Back to Edgars Creek exhibition will be installed at Ziebell’s in spring.
The postal exhibition is also available online.
Details: www.westgarthtown.org.au
