For many residents of Murrurundi, twins Carmel and Gwen are local icons, known for their work at the Pioneer Cottage. Built around the 1889, the Pioneer Cottage was donated to the Murrurundi Community by the Musgrave Family and moved from Alston at Timor by the local Council and re-erected by the community in 1996. Painstakingly restored, the cottage features a collection of all things old and beautiful. The cottage gives a wonderful presentation of the conditions people endured during colonial times.
For many years, twins Carmel and Gwen have dressed in period costume and presented “life as it was” to visitors, especially school children, engaging with the authentically furnished cottage and telling its story in their own inimitable way. Now in their 90s, the twins may not be able to continue this unique work for much longer … Fortunately, the Murrurundi Historical Society successfully applied for a grant through the Country Arts Support Program to record and preserve Carmel and Gwen in action. In late May, filmmaker Jonathan Burrows videoed the pair presenting their tour of the cottage. Visitors to the Pioneer Cottage and nearby Visitor Centre will be able to watch the hut come alive.
It’s a great example of Museum Activation, hopefully the first of many across the region.
Image credit:
From left, videographer Jonathan Burrows with the twins Carmel and Gwen and Suzannah Jones from Arts Upper Hunter.
Both photos were taken by Jenny Loasby.