Show a treasure, and tell

ALTHOUGH visits to the Heathcote McIvor Historical Society museum were down a little on previous years, research officer and museum curator Elizabeth Murfitt is pleased with what was achieved in 2025.

The society held their annual general meeting last week in conjunction with the monthly Bring a Treasure morning.

“This year our focus was mainly on family histories with 120 to date and quite a few close to home,” she said.

“Our McIvor Room now houses all copies of the McIvor Times, from the very beginning and has been placed on shelving we were able to purchase via a very generous donation from a Heathcote family.

“We were also able to purchase a new scanner, printer and keyboard.

“We also received some very valuable donations of photographs and completed family histories as well as a few unique items.

“A collection of local books was also donated to us.”

Ms Murfitt has been helping students at Heathcote Primary School with the history of the school.

“When they were cleaning up, they found three very early inspectors’ report books covering most of the schools in the district.

“They very generously donated them to the historical society.”

The historical society runs a Bring a Treasure morning on the first Wednesday morning of each month, except January.

Dianne Dailey brought along a small tea set, hoping to find out more information about it.

“It has been in my family for as long as I can remember,” she said.

“Before me my mother had it and perhaps my grandmother too.”

Kaylene Watkins was able to help Ms Dailey research the tea set using the internet.

“It appears to be an antique German delft tea set,” she said.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Bring a Treasure sessions.

“If anyone has something they would like to bring along we would love to see it,” said Ms Murfitt.

“Everyone gets a chance to tell us what they know about their item, and we follow with coffee and cake.

“We would also welcome more volunteers.

“Even a small amount of time each month would be very much appreciated.”

The Heathcote McIvor Historical Society office and museum are at 19 Herriot Street, Heathcote, and open on Wednesday mornings from 10am.