Contents of Murwillumbah’s three 50-year-old time capsules revealed

By Sarah Waters

The true treasures from one of the 50-year-old time capsules unearthed from beneath Murwillumbah Library may never be known.

After half-a-century under the ground, the seal on the Murwillumbah time capsule placed by community service organisation Apex, did not withstand the test of time, leaving memoirs and relics damaged.

Two-time capsules, in the form of metal barrels, were buried in 1973 at the start of construction of the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre.

They contained 50-year-old letters from the NSW Governor, Tweed Shire President, community members as well as newspapers and photographs.

One capsule was placed by Tweed Shire Council and another by the Murwillumbah branch of Apex Australia on behalf of the community.

Members of Tweed Shire Council and the Murwillumbah branch of community service organisation, Apex, at the time of capsule burial in 1973.

A third capsule – a small, wax-sealed glass jar placed by Civic Centre construction workers – was a surprise find.

At the 50-year mark in October this year, the capsules were made available for public viewing for several weeks while still in their resting place.

However, there was worry the contents may be damaged as the capsules were buried in the dirt below the foundations of the library with little protection from the elements.

When they were finally opened on November 9, in a controlled environment, the time they had spent underground appeared to have taken its toll on the Apex capsule.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said unfortunately the seal on Apex’s time capsule had failed to protect the contents.

“Sadly, initial concerns for the conditions of the contents were warranted,” Ms Cherry said.

Descendants of well-known local identity and former councillor Clarrie Hall browsing the photographs and letters addressed to them in Council’s time capsule. From left, Suzanne, Geoff, Richard, Beverley and Margaret.

“The contents of Apex’s community capsule were damaged to varying degrees, from completely disintegrated through to sodden and covered in active mould,” she said.

Council’s capsule survived a lot better and most of the material, including council papers, a small number of photographs and several sealed envelopes, were in good shape.

The construction worker’s capsule contained papers and letters.

The contents of the Apex capsule were slowly removed by staff who were qualified to handle historic items and transferred to a plastic sheeting in the sun to assess and neutralise active mould.

The remaining two capsules’ contents, which were less affected by moisture and mould, were laid on a table to dry.

Former Apex members Garry Smith, who was present at the sealing of the Apex capsule, and John Henley, watched as the capsules were opened.

Council staff, accompanied by John Henley and Garry Smith – former members of the community service organisation Apex – examine the contents of Murwillumbah’s community time capsule placed by Apex in 1973.

Mr Smith said it was disappointing their time capsule had been compromised, however community members would still have an opportunity to view the sodden goods.

“We were so looking forward to an opening ceremony where we could all view and celebrate this moment in Murwillumbah’s history,” Mr Smith said.

“But unfortunately, the capsule did not stand the test of time and succumbed to the elements.”

Murwillumbah has experienced several floods since the capsules were placed, including the major flood in 1974 which inundated the library site and subsequent floods in 1989, 2001, 2008, 2017 and 2022.

Tweed Shire Council is inviting owners or descendants of community members who contributed a message to a time capsule to come forward to claim their items.

One family has already been reunited with the letters left for them by their well-known ancestor – former Tweed Shire councillor Clarrie Hall, which the Tweed’s main dam was named after.

Visit here to submit an application by Wednesday, December 20, 2023, to claim identifiable contents. All unidentified damaged items will be disposed of.

For more Murwillumbah News, click here.

MURWILLUMBAH FARMERS’ MARKET – A WIN FOR ALL

By Sarah Waters

From humble beginnings, Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market has grown from 11 stalls under the shed to an award-winning must-see market with close to 50 stallholders selling some of the region’s best produce.

Last Wednesday, ‘Murbah’ Farmers’ Market took out the award for community sustainability at the 2023 Tweed Sustainability Awards.

Judges recognised how the market supports local farmers and educates the community about the importance of eating fresh, local, and seasonal food.

Special mention was given to how the market has also helped to significantly reduce waste each week.

Stallholders at the market now use donated crockery to serve their produce.

It is washed by the market’s Assistant Manager Gavin Powell so it can be re-used the following week, which has resulted in a 75 per cent reduction in rubbish being thrown out.

The initiative has also helped to cut down costs for the stallholders, who no longer have to spend as much on paper cups and plates.

The local win at the Tweed Sustainability Awards, comes off the back of a major national win.

A few weeks ago, the market was chosen as the People’s Choice 2023 Winner of Australia’s Outstanding Farmers Market at the Harvey Norman and Delicious Produce Awards.

The region’s food producers were acknowledged for their incredible resilience during the extreme weather events over the past few years.

The market was again recognised for delivering an important and valuable community asset that contributed to local wellbeing and economic health.

Market Manager Claire Strodder said the recent wins were wonderful for the community and the stallholders.

“It was amazing – when I got the phone call about our national win I almost fainted,” Ms Strodder said.

“In the last few months, we’re seeing people who are coming to the markets to connect with people and the community – we’ve got mother’s groups coming and Rotary members – it’s become a meeting spot.

“People might end up buying some bananas and maybe getting a coffee, but we also have our very dedicated weekly shoppers as well.

“It’s just been wonderful the atmosphere and that community connection,” she said.

The Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market was established in 2011 to provide farmers in the Tweed Valley with a place to sell their produce.

Everything on offer is made or grown by the stallholders, which has not only reduced food miles, but has created a paddock to plate connection.

A discerning and health-conscious customer base, who wants to know where their food is coming from, has helped the market gain a dedicated following.

Other people simply enjoy chatting with the friendly market folk each week.

The community has also stood behind its farmers, who have struggled through the significant weather events.

The Murbah Farmers’ Markets management committee, from left, Bronwyn Yeldham, Claire Strodder, Jodie Viccars, Jeremy Gudsell, Will Everest, Gavin Powell, Gary Miller.

Most of the farmers lost all their seedlings and produce during the 2022 floods and more recently during the hailstorms.

Ms Strodder said covid sparked a big interest in the market with some stallholders reporting sales going up by 50 per cent during that time.

“People just didn’t want to go into the shopping centres, they were wanting to be outdoors,” she said.

“To make the space, so we could social distance, we moved all the vegetable and food stalls outside and then we just grew even more.

“Covid was a massive game changer for that, and it also brought to the forefront where our food is coming from.

“When things couldn’t get through borders, we had all this amazing local produce on our doorstep.

“We’re in such an amazing part of the world where we have access to all this food that can mostly be grown locally all year around.”

Ms Strodder took on the role of market manager 18 months ago, after years of being a dedicated marketgoer herself.

She also worked at one of the farmer’s stalls while she was on a working holiday visa 10 years ago.

“It’s just amazing to see it all come full circle,” she said.

“Our farmers are incredibly resilient and passionate they turn up every week because they want to supply the community with their produce.”

Eleven local farmers’ and producers were the founding stallholders of the Murwillumbah Farmers’ Markets with some of them still selling there today.

All people are welcome to attend the market, held every Wednesday morning, from 7am – 11am, at the Murwillumbah Showground.

Close to 50 stallholders offer a wide range of local produce, including organic fruit and vegetables, freshly baked sourdough breads, seafood, fermented foods and drinks, honey, eggs, chutneys, raw treats and great coffee.

If you are able to donate crockery, including ceramic plates, bowls and glass jars, to the Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market please contact Claire Strodder at: manager@murwillumbahfarmersmarket.com.au or on 0415 328 672. It will help the market to continue to reduce waste by supplying stallholders with reusable items to serve their food.

For more Murwillumbah News, click here.

Hold a garage sale this Second Hand Saturday!

ADVITORIAL

Second Hand Saturday – the North Coast’s biggest day of garage sales is back again and registrations to hold a garage sale are now open.

Over this month, Northern Rivers Council’s together with North East Waste, are hosting a series of free workshops for Buy Nothing New Month, to encourage reuse and repair over landfill. This year, Second Hand Saturday will conclude these celebrations and be held on one date only – Saturday 4 November.

Linda Tohver from North East Waste is inviting people to get involved in this year’s event, held across the Council areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Lismore and the Clarence Valley.

“With millions of tonnes of waste being sent to landfill by Australian households every year, the humble garage sale is one of the easiest ways we can reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ ending up in landfill,” Linda said.

Selling pre-loved goods and buying second hand is a great way to keep items circulating within our community, especially when many of us are looking at options to reduce the cost of living.”

Second Hand Saturday Poster

Residents who register for Second Hand Saturday will once again have the option of holding their own garage sale, or to organise a joint sale with family and friends.

“We always encourage people to join forces with their local community to attract more attention – get your neighbours involved and hold a street sale, run a fundraiser or collate your efforts at your local club, school or church.  That’s just one of our tips for the day to get the crowds to your sale!” Linda said.

This year all registered garage sale addresses will appear in local newspapers, with full details listed on the Second Hand Saturday website. All you need to do is register online at www.secondhandsaturday.com.au before 25 October to ensure your address will be printed in your local newspaper. Alternatively, as listings go live after the registration process is complete, you can still register up until the 3 November, for a web-only listing.

For more information, visit the Second Hand Saturday website www.secondhandsaturday.com.au, follow the mysecondhandsaturday Facebook page or contact your local Council.

For more entertainment news, click here.