A grant of almost $100,000 will help record the historical treasures found around the Bega Valley.
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The money will go towards identification, putting together all the information on each item into a folder, then publication of the records, and the public is being called on to nominate which pieces of history should be included in the collection.
The Bega Valley has a wealth of historic items, including Tathra Wharf which is the only remaining sea wharf on the east coast, in addition to Australia’s oldest wooden oyster punt, the country’s oldest surf boat which is in Tathra, and one of the only known orca skeletons in the world.
While the project is titled 101 Objects, South Coast Historic Society president Peter Lacey said he preferred to use the term “treasures”, to include important items that are not objects.
For instance, he wanted to include the Bega Show in the nominations, as it had “an enormous impact on our culture and heritage”.
Also, he said Mumbulla Mountain could be included as it was a sacred place for the Djiringanj people and other visiting clans and had many ancient sites on it.
On Tuesday, it was announced $95,000 would be handed from Heritage Near Me, which is part of the Department of Environment and Heritage, to the project’s committee that included heritage advisers as well as representatives from schools, the tourism industry and Bega Valley Shire Council.
It was the end of a long process, with the committee applying for the money about 12 months ago.
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“I’m the main thing I’m hoping is it will open the eyes of the people in the Bega Valley to the incredibly rich heritage the area has,” Mr Lacey said.
He said the information would be published on a website, through booklets and via an app.
Public meetings will be held about what can be nominated.
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These will take place on October 3 at the Eden library from 10.30am and Tura library at 2pm, followed by meetings on October 4 at the Bega library at 10.30am and Bermagui library at 2pm.
You can also email southcoasthistory@yahoo.com.