Historic Grand Openings to take place in Urana

Urana will be bustling with historic celebrations as the Dexter Horizontal Windmill and Urana Courthouse Museum projects are set to have their Grand Openings on Wednesday, June 21.

In a joint effort spanning two years, architect Ken Young, engineer Ron Young and windmill mechanic Tim Matt built an interpretive reconstruction of the ‘Dexter’ turbine windmill which was housed on the ‘Coonong’ property near Urana, New South Wales. The original windmill was erected in 1885 by Sir Samuel McCaughey and was the last remaining of only four examples in the Western World before burning down in a bush fire late last century. The contemporary reconstruction contains parts from the original windmill which were gifted by the Holt Family of Coonong Station. Federation Council’s Dexter Windmill project was made possible through funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund.

The community are invited to the opening ceremony of this amazing restoration project from 12.15pm, held opposite the Urana Aquatic Centre, on Federation Way.

All are invited to then come together at a free community lunch being held at the Urana Courthouse Museum from 12.45pm.

The day will conclude with the Grand Opening of several exciting Urana Progress Association projects some of which feature Frederick Fox LVO, milliner to the Royal Family and several Hollywood films. A Freddie Fox video and a new book showcasing his hats as well as the General Store and McCaughey Memorial Hospital Displays will be launched at the Urana Courthouse Museum from 1.15pm.

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke said that it will be a significant day of celebrating local history.

“The Grand Openings will showcase that Urana has a rich history of agricultural ingenuity and creative excellence,” he said.

“This will be a day our whole community can get behind and further learn about local trailblazers of the past.”

Register your interest in attending