Historical Society acknowledges Bill Brights contribution to Barraba

History Notes

What a lovely autumn day we had at the markets on Saturday.  There were nine stalls selling a variety of goods and lots of people visiting as well.  The council had a representation stall and seemed to be talking to a number of Barraba residents on a range of subjects.

This week’s meeting has been transferred to next week and may include some ideas on moving the furniture around in the Dean room.  Members will have noticed the folders filed in the shelves do not fit and that is to be rectified as well. 

The number of enquiries has dropped off a little, which gives members more time to research topics themselves – however we do love to welcome visitors when they arrive.

Last week’s News had an article on the sad passing of Bill Bright and I thought we should perhaps add his interest in history and love of Barraba, his home for most of his life.

Bill was a friend of the Historical Society, although never a member.  He occasionally visited the museum but more often spoke to people about Barraba’s historical buildings.  He was very keen to see the Court House being re-used as a museum or gallery and was so pleased that we managed to get the council to remove white ants and overgrown shrubs.

The pipe organ in St Laurence’s Church was another of Bill’s projects.  The organ had been donated to the church in 1919 as a memorial to the World War 1 veterans.  Several things had gone wrong with it and it was stored/rotting under the church.  Bill retrieved all the parts that were there and setting it up at his parent’s home worked to replace and repair the parts before putting it back into the church.  He was able to play it but it obviously needed someone trained in organs to get it back to its best.  This was done and there is a plaque beside the organ telling the story.

Just lately Bill came to the museum to share some organ history published in a magazine – a write up which we were glad to receive.  He said that he would be back in a month but sadly this was not to be.  Rest in peace, Bill.