When a black wrecking ball and a demolition sign appeared near the Lismore Museum building, it created a bit of anxiety for locals. That’s when Richmond River Historical Society president Robert Smith sprung into action.

“I sent a message to historical society members and told them not to be alarmed by the wrecking ball and the word demolition on the fence around the building – the building is just under remediation,” he said.

“The company doing the remediation works, also do demolitions, but that won’t be happening here.”

Robert said the flood damage to the bottom floor of the historic Molesworth Street building meant the historical society had to put its collections into storage while repairs were carried out.

“Thankfully, the flood didn’t get into the second floor – but it went almost to the ceiling on the ground floor,” he said. “There were five steps on the stairs left uncovered.”

Like everyone else in Lismore, Museum volunteers put their flood plan into place and moved objects up high – but the flood waters came higher than expected.

“Like everybody else, we only had a short warning that something major was happening,” Robert said.

Some volunteers at work. From left, Ted Trudgeon, Robert Smith, Geoff Kerr.

Lost objects

“We lost some wooden objects and publications downstairs and had to clean all the mud out of downstairs. A few cabinets were damaged and some AV material too – even though it was placed above 1974 flood level.

“But upstairs was high and dry and every day after the flood, we opened it up for ventilation and checked the items.

“In fact, we hoped to open early, but downstairs was so badly affected it requires extensive remediation.

“There’s peeling paint on walls – eight layers of lead paint – and we had to vacate the building. Unfortunately, it meant mould grew upstairs as well.

“Now, the whole building is under remediation and we have to move the whole collection into storage for six months - so Lismore won’t have access to its museum.

Support

“We had great support from Ben Franklin, the Minister for Arts. In the first week after the flood, he met with me on site and he found money instantly to get conservators on site.

“Now, the water-affected material is in Sydney being worked on.

“The support we have received from volunteers is amazing. Moving things and assessing them and getting rid of mould, before putting them into storage.”

Robert Smith and Hon Ben Franklin.

Plastic tubs needed

If you can supply any plastic tubs with lids to help with storing the museum collection, please email info@richhistory.org.au.

Flood proof

Robert said changes are being made to make the building more flood proof in future.

“We are going to redo the walls so, in future floods, they can be hosed down,” he said.

“We will also replace the timber under carpets with concrete so it can be hosed. Wood takes so long to dry – as does this brick building.

Opportunity

While the flood has been challenging, it also offers opportunities.

“The Museum will be different when we get back in,” Robert said. “We will take the opportunity to look at what we can do differently.

“This community has already lost so much – and this building is part of the heritage of the community. It’s so good we have had the support of Museums and Galleries NSW, conservators and volunteers with their skills and hours of commitment.”