2018-02-06 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 1 - Noosa Museum letter

Heart of     Pomona
                                                        COMMITTEE
                                                        c/- 1 Memorial Ave, Pomona, QLD 4568
 30 October 2017
 The Management Committee                                               :
 Noosa Shire Museum
 29 Factory Street
 Pomona
 QLD 4568

 Re: Purchase of former Cooroora Masonic Lodge, Pomona
 Dear Museum Committee members
 The Heart of Pomona Committee (HOP) offers its support for the Noosa Shire Museum plan
 to work collaboratively with Noosa Council to purchase the former Cooroora Masonic Lodge
 and make it an annexe to the museum that will house the museum’s considerable collection of
 Freemasonry items, and other memorabilia. HOP also commends the idea of leasing part of
 the building to provide an income stream that will pay for the building’s upkeep.
 A town that does not recognise its past cannot discern where its future lies. The museum
 annexe concept sits well with Pomona’s ‘working town’ image and promotion as Noosa’s
 Living Heritage Town. While it is a service centre for a population of 8000, more and more
 visitors are coming to Pomona to experience our culture - embodied in the museum and The
 Majestic Theatre, the markets and the art gallery - and to use the town as a base to explore
 the Noosa Trail Network, the nearby Everglades and Tuchekoi National Park; and other
 attributes that create a genuine nature-based tourism experience.
 HOP has sought to ensure that Pomona remains a ‘walkable’ town, as this improves social
 interaction and community connectivity. The self-guided history walk is an important
 element of town life, for locals and visitors. The more we can encourage people to take that
 walk and develop places to see and experience along the way, the more attractive our town
 becomes to visitors and those who call it home.
 The former Masonic Lodge is a significant building in the town, covered by a state heritage
 listing. Unused, it remains vulnerable and could be lost. The Noosa Museum plan will
 preserve and protect it, and will put it to good use. HOP congratulates the museum
 management committee for its vision.

 Yours faithfully  ;
\    ) MC ry ae         iG)
B        O’CONNOR
 Facilitator, Heart of Pomona Committee