End of an era for Bishop’s Lodge Historic House… but the doors remain open
The final president of Bishop’s Lodge Historical House Anne Longworth (centre) with Dick van Buuren (right) who was the final treasurer and Council’s General Manager, David Webb. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Tertia Butcher.
By Tertia Butcher
Anne Longworth bowed out as the final president of Bishop’s Lodge Management Committee last Wednesday when the final meeting took place after the last of Hay Shire Council’s Section 355 museum committees was dissolved.
This reluctant step was taken at the request of the committee due to the chronic volunteer fatigue experienced in Hay over the last few years.
Anne was a long-serving member of the committee and held the positions of both president and secretary simultaneously for several years.
With her is Dick van Buuren (right) who was the final treasurer and Council’s General Manager, David Webb.
Bishop’s Lodge will continue to operate mostly as in the past with a Friends of Bishop’s Lodge group being formed to continue to look after the house and garden.
Administration, including bookings, will now be undertaken by the Visitor Centre in consultation with the Friends group.
The Lodge: A proud history of commitment
For close to 40 years, a team of dedicated volunteers worked hard and smart to turn Bishop’s Lodge Historic House into a museum and heritage garden of international significance.
The first meeting to form a sub-committee to assist in proposals for funding for Council’s newly acquired Bishop’s Lodge was held on May 22, 1985.
The sub-committee comprised Mary-Lou Gardam who has retained her deep interest in Bishop’s Lodge and the late Jeni Japp, John Breen, Alan McCormack and Linc Hawkins who was the Shire’s Health and Building Surveyor.
They were a sub-committee of the former Hay Bicentennial Community Committee which was chaired by Mayor Mick Beckwith then General Manager, Alan McCormack as secretary.
Council received a grant of $120,000 for the restoration of Bishop’s Lodge and those present were invited to suggest the future use of the Lodge. The Bishop’s Lodge Management Committee was appointed in 1991.
