General News
25 July, 2025
Fundraiser to bolster museum
Talbot Museum are holding a fundraiser at the Highland Society tonight to support their stewardship of hundreds of items, thousands of stories, and a community’s history going back to the first stone laid over a century ago.
The night will mark the Talbot Arts and Historical Museum’s second fundraiser with the Highland Society after raising around $1500 early last year.
The organisation’s president Leanne Boyle said every cent raised will go back into keeping the lights on, paper in the printers, and maintaining equipment to better preserve the collection.
“All the little bits and pieces we need to keep it running — this funding helps us get it,” she said.
Across multiple historical buildings the museum offers a history not only of Talbot but the region as a whole.
“Every cent goes to a great cause to keep the history of our area going,” Ms Boyle said.
The organisation’s small group of volunteers offer a connection to the community’s past important to both longtime and new residents.
“A lot of people moving to the area have found their family has got links to Talbot,” she said.
It’s a trend that was true for one of the organisation’s own volunteers who learned his great great grandfather was born in the small town.
“I never even heard of Talbot and yet I come here and I find I’ve got a relation born here,” he said.
It’s one example of how the museum is far more than a collection of dusty relics. Instead Ms Boyle finds the objects come alive with people’s memories.
“It’s just the little stories people have about specific items we have on display,” she said.
“They’re filling the story in all the time.”
Ms Boyle described the importance of the museum through visitor’s stories: a new resident learning about his home’s history, a woman remembering her first match, or a visitor sharing his knowledge of morse code.
“They’re helping us evolve the whole story of what we have here,” she said.
Even if the community aren’t able to support the fundraiser, Ms Boyle encourages them to visit the museum and learn why local history is important and even fun.
“I hope they look at it and go that the history of our area, of our ancestors, of the shire is important to preserve,” she said.
The museum is open on Sundays, including during the Talbot Farmers’ Market, from 1 to 4 pm.
Today’s, July 25 Community Support Night at the Highland Society will have a raffle, Happy Hour from 5.30 pm, and Alexi Cola performing from 7.30 pm.
