Sandra McEwen in the Museum store

After months of detailed planning by architects and engineers, Kiama Council has appointed a Sydney-based company, Momentum Built, to deliver the $3.2 million Gerringong Library and Museum project (nicknamed GLaM).

The much anticipated project involves building a new library behind the historic School of Arts on Blackwood Street, which will be restored and converted to house the Museum.

Construction is expected to commence in a few weeks, and possibly be completed as early as March.

Ahead of construction starting, Council is arranging a community information meeting to allow anyone with an interest to view the plans and designs, talk to the project team, and ask questions.

“Council is keen to ensure the impact on residents and businesses is kept to a minimum,” said a spokesperson.

Apart from the construction project itself, there has been an enormous amount of work going on behind the scenes by members of the Historical Society, and in particular by Museum Designer Penny Hardy and Curator Sandra McEwen, in planning the new Museum display.

During the last few months, Ms McEwen has been spending many hours in the relocated original Museum building, next to the Men’s Shed in Jubilee Park, unwrapping and studying the collection items previously packed by members of the Society.

“Sandra is an exceptionally experienced curator and writer,” says the Society’s President Helen McDermott.

“Prior to working for nearly 30 years at the Powerhouse Museum, she studied both science and art.

An artist’s impression of the complex

“Over the years she has prepared exhibitions on a diverse range of subjects, from farming to textiles, and from technological innovation to World War 1.”

Ms McEwen is to talk on how she develops exhibitions, and her experiences in Gerringong, at the Society’s August meeting.

She is looking for more unsung treasures that are probably lurking in local sheds, which will tell significant stories about the lives of people in this region.

Details: Sunday 24 August, RSL Hall, 1pm. Gold coin donation.