Vintage machinery group switch up for heritage award
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The Moruya Antique Tractor and Machinery Association has been awarded the inaugural Fergus Thomson OAM Heritage Award.
Presented to MATAMA president Steve Shields by Yvonne Thomson, wife of the late Fergus Thomson OAM, the award recognises the association’s outstanding contribution to Eurobodalla’s rich history and heritage. Mrs Thomson was joined by her son Councillor James Thomson, Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes and Bega MP Andrew Constance at Council’s Chamber on Wednesday 16 December.
Mrs Thomson praised the group for exposing the shire’s agricultural and industrial stories to a wider audience.
“MATAMA is an icon of our community – don’t we all have fond recollections of that familiar whir and ‘putt-putt-bang!’ at the ag show and other local events,” she said.
“Ferg used to love seeing them out and having a chat with the members. He recognised many of the machines as being operated by his father on the family farm, so it’s fitting the association is the first recipient of the award.”
Fergus Thomson served the shire for many years as councillor and mayor, which included time as Heritage Advisory Committee chair. An authority on local heritage, Mr Thomson was instrumental in establishing the shire’s first heritage study during the 1990s.
Other finalists for the award included historian and author Shirley Jurmann, and Peter Smith – best known for writing about the region’s pioneering horsemen and the Clarke brothers’ bushranging gang. Heritage Advisory Committee chair, Councillor Maureen Nathan, said it was a tough choice for selectors with many deserving applicants.
“MATAMA exemplifies the outstanding, often unheralded, contributions of groups and individuals who record and promote our local history,” Cr Nathan said of the fire-impacted group of enthusiasts.
“They have endured disaster during the Black Summer bushfire and through a steady process of revival have made a remarkable transformation, even holding their first 2020 outing last month despite all the lost material.”