General News
9 November, 2023
Restorations complete at historic cottage
The Maryborough Midlands Historical Society’s headquarters for the past 47 years has finally been upgraded — with the over $300,000 project restoring the historical space for the community to enjoy. First built in the 19th century, the town’s...
The Maryborough Midlands Historical Society’s headquarters for the past 47 years has finally been upgraded — with the over $300,000 project restoring the historical space for the community to enjoy.
First built in the 19th century, the town’s popular tourism fixture, Worsley Cottage, has undergone extensive repairs in the past couple of months, including work done to reinforce its foundations, straighten the external walls, install additional drainage, replace internal floors and repair stonework and damaged plasterwork.
In the same period, working alongside contractors Provincial Constructions of Bendigo, Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) have also painted the interior of the cottage, repaired damaged woodwork and painted the rear kitchen extension.
Costing $319,143, the project was jointly funded by CGSC, contributing $200,000, and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program’s funding of $119,143.
With refurbishments now complete, Cr Geoff Lovett said it was wonderful to see the historical building restored.
“Worsley Cottage is a much-loved community asset and a popular tourism attraction for visitors to our region,” he said.
“The Maryborough Midlands Historical Society do such a wonderful job sharing our history to visitors to our shire and so it’s wonderful to see this facility upgraded so that the committee can continue to prosper in the future.
“We thank them for their patience during the works and we look forward to seeing the cottage fully re-opened early in the new year.”
According to the society’s president Barb Nielsen, the committee anticipates the cottage would open its doors to the public next year in February.
“[We] are appreciative of [council’s] efforts in recognising the heritage significance of the [structure] and obtaining a grant to enable the restoration of the building, which is one of the town’s oldest residences,” she said.
“Although the Worsley Cottage restoration project has been completed, it will take our volunteers several months to carefully conserve and return the furniture, objects and art work and to set up new displays.
“Due to the extent of the renovations, it was necessary for the contractors to remove quite large sections of the cottage garden, creating a challenge over the coming months for our garden volunteers, who will plan and restore the paths and plants.”
While the cottage itself will remain closed until 2024, the society’s volunteers have returned to work in the Research and Display Centre at the rear of the property, located at 3 Palmerston Street.
Visitors will be welcome on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12 pm and Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm.
For more information visit the Maryborough Midlands Historical Society’s website — mmhs.net.au
