AYLENE Kirkwood and Bev Hanson sit in the former Eaglehawk courthouse, where for the past 28 years they\u2019ve been collecting, storing, and displaying artefacts and documents that tell the story of the Borough.<\/p>\n
The pair helped form the Eaglehawk Heritage Society following the City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s amalgamation in 1994, as they were worried the history of their hometown would be lost.<\/p>\n
But dwindling active member numbers and a lack of people coming through the doors to pay and see their collections have meant the society has to close, and everything must go.<\/p>\n
Ms Kirkwood, who is the acquisition officer, said the group had about 20 members in its early days, which has fallen to just five. Of those five, one of them is 80 years old and the health of all members is declining.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting too old as well,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t get any visitors anymore. We were open every Sunday of the month until COVID and then we were open the first and third Sunday of the month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re lucky to get any visitors anymore because most of the people are doing things online.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe poured all this love into it. 28 years later it\u2019s all going to go. It\u2019s absolutely heartbreaking. But when you\u2019ve only got five members, you just can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Kirkwood and Ms Hanson, who is the group\u2019s secretary and treasurer, are now tasked with returning everything to those who donated it.<\/p>\n
Their work involves trawling through 5000 folders, books and binders, and finding addresses and phone numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re desperate for people to get into contact with us so I can find their stuff and give it back to them,\u201d Ms Kirkwood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they\u2019re happy to send me something in writing to say they don\u2019t want it back, we can do with it whatever we want to, we\u2019re happy to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The local RSL group has agreed to take war records, and Goldfields Library will take a filing cabinet\u2019s worth of records.<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Regional Archives Centre will also take some items; however, they only accept original documents.<\/p>\n
But the society is more than items and records.<\/p>\n
Ms Hanson said schools and Probus and Rotary clubs used to come for tours through the courthouse, log lockup and council chambers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe never charged for school tours, and we\u2019d put a lot of effort into it,\u201d she said. \u201cThere was no monetary gain from it, but you\u2019re showcasing your region\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids learned a lot, they loved the log lockup and I\u2019ve got lots of happy memories from over there. But you can\u2019t keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
The old council chambers now house Star Cinema\u2019s wine bar, a controversial decision according to Ms Kirkwood.<\/p>\n
The society\u2019s swan song involves restoring former Borough of Eaglehawk councillor Michael Curtain\u2019s illuminated address and having it hung in the chambers.<\/p>\n
The project will cost $11,500 with fundraising underway.<\/p>\n