Around 40 members from all parts of SA travelled to Naracoorte on Saturday the 28th October for the SA Volunteer Fire Fighters Museums AGM. After inspecting the Fire Fighters Memorial and the proposed Museum site on Kingston Avenue, members inspected other memorabilia housed at the Naracoorte Show ground.
The group attended a meeting / workshop in the CFS Regional HQ in Smith St then, after enjoying a BBQ dinner, conducted their Annual Meeting at the same location. During the Annual Meeting Mr. Ray Blackshaw, representing the Northern Branch of the CFS Volunteer Association, presented a cheuqe for $2,000 to the Museum. The evening concluded with an address by Guest speaker Mr. Tony Pasin MP, Member for Barker.
The Museum chairman Rex Hall thanked Mr. Blackshaw for the Northern Branch’s donation and expressed his thanks and appreciation to all who supported the Memorial and Museum development. He said that with the financial support from so many across the State, and the ongoing support of contractors, suppliers and volunteers, it gave the committee great satisfaction and the long-term goal was now in sight. Mr. Hall outlined a few of the outcomes from the meeting, which he described as an outstanding success with all looking forward to a most exciting and rewarding year ahead.
With a revised business plan and final drawings near completion, a public awareness and fund-raising campaign across the State will commence shortly. The committee were most grateful for the assistance being given by students from the Naracoorte High School in upgrading their Museum Website. The first State-wide fund-raising appeal and awareness campaign will commence later this week with a Membership drive and a $10 annual membership fee. It is anticipated that it will not only generate a cash flow but will enable the committee to keep the public better informed of the ongoing progress.
Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to become a member of the Museum. Major events planned over the next few months include a Country Music Concert in the Naracoorte Town Hall on the 6th April 2018 where a major lottery will be launched on the same night. Top artists from across the State have been booked to entertain on the evening, with the annual CFS Memorial service to be conducted the next morning, the 7th April on Kingston Ave. Mr. Hall said they were just a few of the exciting events planned over the coming months, with other exciting news to be released in the near future.