Turning pages of Emerald history

By Tania Martin
CELEBRATING the history of Emerald, the Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Museum is set to celebrate their 25th anniversary next week with the launch of its new book, a photographic history of the town.
The book, titled Emerald in Focus, is a 96-page history of the town from 1858 to 1940.
Emerald Museum committee president Jo Jenkinson and member Chris Briton have been working together on the book for the past 12 months.
Ms Jenkinson said the book covers information regarding many of Emerald’s past industries, including gold, timber and transport.
She said there was also photographs of the early development of the roads and the rail network, including Puffing Billy, and a large section on guesthouses that have played a big role in Emerald’s history.
Ms Jenkinson said the book was created because the museum had a large collection of photographs, but there wasn’t enough room to display all the pictures.
“We thought a photographic history book would be a good way of showing the local community some of Emerald’s history,” she said.
Chris Briton said the book would be launched by Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato at the 25th anniversary celebrations on Sunday, 26 February, at the Nobelius Heritage Park at 2pm.
She said although the launch of the book wasn’t until 2pm, the museum would be open from 11am giving local residents and visitors the opportunity to look at some of Emerald’s history.
In conjunction with the book launch, the Emerald Village Committee is holding a family picnic day at Nobelius Heritage Park from 11am.
Entertainment from Ferntree Gully Art Society’ band Pinoccio’s Nose, and barbecue facilities, will be provided, but everyone must bring their own food and drinks.
Ms Briton said 1000 copies of Emerald in Focus had been printed and that several orders had already been taken.
Ms Jenkinson said the museum received a grant from the Public Recording Office for $8, 286, which covered the cost of the printing.
The book costs $20 and is available from the museum, which is open on Sundays from 1.30pm to 4pm, and Wednesday from 9.30am to 12pm.