Museum Award

The curator of Tongarra Museum, Tamara Hynd, has been honoured with a National Trust Heritage Award in recognition of her heritage research work.

Ms Hynd won the Cultural Heritage Community Group category for her research and compilation of the Historical and Archaeological Map Shellharbour 1830-1930.

The book brings together historic research on more than 100 heritage items in Shellharbour City ranging from private homes, churches and banks to cemeteries, stonewalls and trees.

She was nominated for the award by the Tongarra Heritage Society.

It was an honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award and being named the winner is an absolute thrill, said Ms Hynd.

I wasnt expecting to win, these are pretty big awards and there are high contenders in each of the categories. I am very proud of the work and being recognised in this way is a real bonus, she said.

Ms Hynd began her career at the museum as a volunteer while she studied archaeology and paleoanthropology at the University of New England and landed the position of museum curator in January 2004.?

I just always liked old things, old buildings so I guess I was drawn to the museum, said Ms Hynd.

Much of the award ceremony remains a blur to the 28 year old.

I have little memory of the actual day, said Ms Hynd.

She took the president of the Tongarra Heritage Society, John ODwyer, with her to the ceremony, however made sure to share her achievement over the phone with her boyfriend, her mum and her nana as soon as she had accepted the award.

Her work at the museum centres on organising events and creating activities to raise the profile of the museum in the community and keep the museum running smoothly.

Mayor David Hamilton congratulated Ms Hynd on her invaluable contribution to the preservation of local heritage.

I congratulate Tamara on this terrific award, she deserves much recognition for her wonderful contribution to keeping alive the rich history and culture of Shellharbour City, said Mr Hamilton.