Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, right, and Mayor Rob Banham present Emmaville community champion Ron Jillett with his certificate of service and patron for 28 years with the Emmaville Mining Museum.
Tuesday, 30 April 2024
EMMAVILLE’S Ron Jillett was the centre of attention recently when he was honoured for his unwavering support and championing of the Emmaville Mining Museum with a morning tea and a patronage thrown in.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall joined Mayor of Glen Innes Severn Council Rob Banham, the current President of the museum Evan Brown, museum committee members, community members and Mr Jillett’s family and friends to celebrate his almost three decades of volunteer service.
Mr Marshall said Mr Jillett’s unwavering commitment over 28 years helped create a unique display that honours the amazing mining history of Emmaville and the pioneers that built an empire in the bush.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to personally acknowledge Ron Jillett as one of the original founders of the Emmaville Mining Museum, long-time President and a tireless volunteer for more than 28 years,” Mr Marshall said.
“Ron has been turning up to volunteer at this museum since it was opened 25 years ago and he said he would be here every day if possible, the passion he has for his community is undeniable.
“I also understand that Ron’s custom mud maps to fossicking hot spots, are a great local attraction for visiting fortune hunters.
“Ron is truly one of Emmaville’s greatest undiscovered gems and thanks in large part to his unwavering passion, this museum is now considered to be the finest of it’s type in the country.
“I am thrilled he is being honoured as the museum’s first patron, and I thank him for his hard work and vision.”
When the museum opened its doors 25 years ago this July, it created a permanent home for mineral and gem collections from a number of local families, including the large Jillett clan and the renowned Curnow collection.
The museum now houses more than 4,000 mineral and gem specimens, hundreds of photos documenting Emmaville’s mining history, 1,500 historic bottles, a replica general store, blacksmiths, wood-fired bakery, miner’s hut and vast collection of machinery and military history.
Emmaville Mining Museum President Evan Brown said he was honoured to follow Mr Jillett as president in recent years and believed the patronage was well-deserved.
“Ron was there at the very start, when it was just an idea, and he worked tirelessly alongside other locals with a similar passion to preserve and honour the history of Emmaville and other smaller communities that dotted the region,” Mr Brown said.
“Over 28 years, Ron has been the greatest champion of the museum and is here to welcome visitors, generously share his own vast knowledge of the region and always with a smile and enthusiasm.
“The Emmaville Mining Museum is honoured and thrilled that Ron – who is such a humble and genuine bloke – has agreed to be the first patron, and we believe it is a title well-deserved.”
The Emmaville Mining Museum is located at 86 More Street, Emmaville, and is open every day except Thursday, from 10am to 4pm.