URALLA’S Kent Mayo has been honoured with a community service award for his contribution to the establishment and development of the acclaimed McCrossin’s Mill Museum precinct,
The State Government award was presented to Mr Mayo at a recent meeting of the Uralla Historical Society.
In 197, the derelict but historically significant 1870 McCrossin’s flour mill in Uralla was slated for redevelopment.
Mr Mayo, a local teacher at the time, called a public meeting to which 30 people attended. It was decided that somehow they’d buy and restore the building. This group of committed residents formed the Uralla Historical Society and hence began the restoration of the derelict mill.
Fast-forward 34 years and the McCrossin’s Mill Museum and Function Centre is now considered one of the most progressive volunteer-owned and operated enterprises in Australia.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who nominated Mr Mayo for the award, was delighted he had been recognised for his vision and commitment to such an outstanding community project.
“For more than 30 years, Kent has been the driving force behind the Uralla Historical Society’s restoration of the mill, the establishment of the museum and the subsequent buying and restoring of two adjacent buildings; the stable/store and chaff shed,” Mr Marshall said.
“Under his stewardship, the organisation defied the sceptics, and held fast to their vision. Their achievements speak for themselves and have been phenomenal.
“The McCrossin’s Mill precinct is now on the NSW State Heritage register and many believe that its redevelopment has influenced the Uralla community to respect and enhance other local heritage assets.”
Mr Mayo thanked fellow committee members and said the major reason for the success of McCrossin’s Mill Museum and Function Centre was teamwork and having a shared vision.
“There has been an incredible commitment by our volunteers to setting high standards in every aspect of our enterprise – we abhor the term ’mediocre’ – and ’compromise’ is not in our vocabulary,” he said.
“Keeping in mind that the museum is open to the public every day of the year, each individual’s contribution is respected and valued.
“We all need, and have, a sense of duty, great tolerance and a wonderful sense of humour.”
A museum buff since the age of 10, Mr Mayo said he was fortunate that the team at the Mill had an empathetic approach to museology which made Uralla’s museum different and quite special.
“If you pour your soul and personality into an enterprise, it really shows, and it really matters – for 34 years now all that wonderful creative endeavour has provided Uralla, and the whole region, with a highly significant cultural asset.”
