The partitions are all in, Lining all up, painting of the foyer and display area finished thanks to a team of painters. Bob and Chris are working on the display areas and the painters are working hard to keep up with them.

  
 
click on an image for a larger version (use browser 'back' button to return)

The accessioning team started work on the 8th May on Don Williams separators.  The entire colleciton was moved to the museum on the 25th. There were 64 separators and parts all over the floor. At the end of the day they were all together again and alot on the display shelves. The rest have now been accessioned, catalogued, cleaned, photographed and numbered.  We start on Jack's engines this week.

The sign writing team are together, another two are now on board for that part. One a Journalist and another Interpretive signwriter, amazing the skills in the district. The landscaping has started.

(L) The toilet block and museum building)

Good news! We plan to open the museum in July.

There is a mountain of work still to be done but huge progress has been made. The toilet block has been completed along with a campervan dump station. Fire sprinklers, lighting, ventilation and security installed inside. With Transit New Zealand requiring a reduced entrance to the hotel and museum, working bees have been held and the area is now fenced and leveled ready for landscaping. The Whakapara Gardening Club has agreed to take on the project - a big thank you to them. With a nice grant from ASB Community Trust, the internal fit out can begin. Once again a team of voluntary labour will do this while Bob McGregor, Kay Mason and Jocelyn Yeoman forge ahead designing and putting together the displays.

Dave and his team of volunteers will set about cleaning and doing any conservation that is needed on Jack’s collection. Shirley and her team will number all objects, collect as much information about each object and do all the paperwork required to comply with museum standards. Could people please look through their old photos to find any that relate to the Hukerenui district and its people. We would like to be able to make copies for use by the museum at some time. The time taken, where, what doing and names of people in photos would be great. (Shirley does not want much does she?). If anyone has stories about people, community events, living conditions in years gone by, travel, schooling, work conditions etc. please jot it down and send it to Shirley Henwood, 14 Hawken Road, R.D. 9, Whangarei. 0179. Please include a name and return address.

The funding committee is still busy sourcing more funds to complete the museum to the high standard we would like. Our aim is to have the museum self funding. To do this we need people through the door. To do this we need a museum that is of interest to all ages and genders and they will want to return to see more. To escort all these visitors through the museum, we need a team of volunteers. The more volunteers we have the easier the work load for everyone. Please contact Ennis Francis 09 4339816, if you would like to be involved.

What a diverse and dynamic committee we have. We are having a great time, lots of laughs, lots of headaches and we are learning heaps about this amazing district as we go along. We thank you one and all for helping make this project achievable. From personal donations to commercial support, people have been so generous.

Have we got your email address yet? ennisanddave@slingshot.co.nz

Grants have been received from. Pub Charities, Oxford Trust, Whangarei District Council, ASB Community Trust, Lion Foundation. THANK YOU!!

Toilet block and some of the workers. Photo by Wilma Crayford

There has again been a hugh amount of volunteer labour, goods and services provided to get the project completer. With three large water tanks installed the sprinkler system can be installed.

The funding committee had a wonderful present to present to the committee at our Christmas get together. They were successful with their application for funding from the ASB Community Trust. This funding will allow us to be very close to the amount we need to open the museum.

Rest assured the committee and volunteers will be working very hard in early 2010 to have the museum open as soon as we can.

Photo (by Wilma Crayford): The toilet block is making good progress.

The facade is being formed. Out of sight, cables have been run and power is about to be connected.

Photo by Wilma Crayford

The facade is being framed up.

Photo by Wilma Crayford

The shell is completed. The facade is to go onto the end next.

Jack Morgan wrote his name in the concrete floor at the entrance to the building.

Photos in this section by Larry Robbins

They started putting the roof on today but the weather has been showery progress has slowed a bit.

Photo by Wilma Crayford (Hukerenui Hotel)

The walls were put on progressively as the weather has allowed.

Photo by Wilma Crayford (Hukerenui Hotel)

A motorcycle club stopped at the Hotel and viewed progress. Note the top soil that was donated & trucked to the site on the 8th March in the background. Typical of the generous support from the local community.

Photo by Wilma Crayford (Hukerenui Hotel)

The big floor-pour (concrete) - started at 6.30am. All poured by about 8.30 am. Breakfast was provided for the 26 workers. Some men were turned away as they had sufficient for the job. What a great comunity turnout.  Jack Morgan witnessed the pour and etched his name in the concrete pad.

Photo by Wilma Crayford (Hukerenui Hotel)

NEWSLETTER

Hooray!! We are underway! Jack has turned the first sod of soil at the site – the big moment was captured by the Advocate photographer. <Photo>

After months and months of meetings, filling in forms, cutting through masses of red tape, and spending many dollars, we finally got the permit for the building. No doubt many of you would understand the frustrations we have suffered, but thanks to the dogged determination of the committee, we finally got our hands on the precious piece of paper!

Keri Keri firm “Purpose Built” are currently erecting the building. This is just the basic shed, with interior walls and fit out to be done as funds permit. Ex local, Bill Lloyd, generously donated the money for the kit set building. This was a huge gesture which is very much appreciated!

We are still trying to get funding to complete the  building and toilets. Unfortunately we missed out on funding from the ASB, and are currently seeking grants from other sources.  Obviously in today’s financial situation this is not going to be easy, but be assured we are doing our level best to convince the organizations that this is a very worthy project for them to invest in! As we need 33⅓ percent of the money we apply for to be in our bank account, we are hamstrung on doing much more until we have a grant.

Once the shell is up and we are ready to progress further, we will be looking for volunteers to help with the interior walls etc. Anyone who can give time, please contact Chris Mason 4337551 to register your interest.

We are grateful for the donation and cartage of brown rock by Pedro McHardy, and the great job done of compacting it by Mike Potter. Shirley Henwood, our Collections Manager, is cataloging all the items for the display, and is looking in to computer programmes for the setting up and recording of each article. A web site has been set up – it’s in it’s infancy – and can be seen on www.jackmorganmuseum.co.nz  This site has been registered with all search engines, but may not be able to be accessed by all servers for a couple of weeks, so please persevere! This will be updated as the project progresses.

The giving of time, services, materials and money is what is going to make this project tick over. The sale of bricks is still being sought for $500, $300, and $200. Donors names will be etched on the bricks and will feature in the entrance of the museum, but any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated, and can be sent to Dave Francis, 1366 Hukerenui Rd, R.D.2 Hikurangi 0182. Please spread the word to your friends and family who may have had an association with Hukerenui, and Jack and Did, who may be interested in donating towards it.

We intend to keep you regularly updated on the progress. If you have email, could you please send your address to Ennis Francis ennisanddave@slingshot.co.nz and we will email the news letter to you. Even saving on postage and printing is more money for the museum – as well as saving a tree!!

Thanks for your interest and support.

The trusses go up

Photos by Wilma Crayford (Hukerenui Hotel)

The poles are in place for the building

Photos by Wilma Crayford (Hukerenui Hotel)

Jack Morgan 'turns the first sod'.

The following photographs are courtesy of the Northern Advocate. Copyright. Used by permission.

Jack & John           <Back to the Top>


Watched by family members (l) and the hotel publican Bob McGregor (r) Jack turns the sod.

Jack Morgan, left, with Hukerenui Hotel owner Bob McGregor at the sod turning ceremony for his museum.


The Hukerenui community and museum committee members with Jack.

Copyright (c) 2009-2010 Jack Morgan Museum Inc