On Saturday morning, 15 February 2025, the Bunya Mountains Natural History Association Inc. held an acknowledgement ceremony to thank Heritage Bank Nanango for the grant for their restoration project at Cedarvale Cottage Museum.
President of the BMNHA, Bernice Seton thanked the Heritage Bank Nanango for their funding and thanked Capricorn Roofing and Handyman and Painter, Ross Lanham for their work as well as the work of BMNHA member, Graeme Wright who worked voluntarily during the project.
Bunya Mountains Natural History Association Inc. operates Cedarvale Cottage Museum which is located in the historic buildings of “Cedarvale” and “Hillview” at Dandabah behind the Bunyas Tavern at the Bunya Mountains.
These buildings were homes of early families who settled in the area, with “Cedarvale” being donated to BMNHA in 1979 and “Hillview” in 1984.
Each building was carefully taken apart, moved and rebuilt at Dandabah, on land that was leased to BMNHA by the Stirling family.
BMNHA has since displayed collections of flora and fauna; tools and artefacts related to First Nations people, timber cutters and other early settlers etc.
Cedarvale Cottage Museum was opened in 1981, and despite consistent maintenance work and patching up by dedicated BMNHA members over the years, was in need of major renovations after over 40 years.
BMNHA applied for a grant from Heritage Bank Nanango in 2024, and we were thrilled to have the funding of $21,236.50 approved, with BMNHA agreeing to contribute a further $2,000 towards the project.
The restoration of Cedarvale Cottage Museum included replacing the roof on Cedarvale, cleaning, repairing and painting the outside including the window frames on both buildings, better sealing under the verandah, as well as fencing repairs and maintenance.
The BMNHA group reported the improvements “look amazing”.
Members of Bunya Mountains Natural History Association Inc. are very proud and grateful to be sponsored by the Heritage Bank Nanango.
