TAKE a walk through the Corowa Federation Museum with president Allan Handberg and you will be treated to a story about almost every one of the hundreds of items on display.
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No matter how small or insignificant the item may seem, very few escape Mr Handberg's elaboration.
It's an impressive feat; his knowledge includes anecdotes and details of the provenance of everything from the big-ticket items such as the story of the Federation of Australia, the Tom Roberts painting Shearing the Rams, to the collection of hand tools, household and quirky medical items which all relate to Corowa's past.
His knowledge of the museum's collections was gained quickly, having only been involved for a little more than 10 years.
"I had a holiday house in Corowa for some time and have always had an interest in history,'' Mr Handberg said.
"So when we came to live here I decided to go along to a few meetings.
"But it was only on my second one that the other members decided I should be president as they wanted a younger person to take on the role.''
Like many museums in country towns the collection draws together items and stories from the area's past.
But in Mr Handberg's estimation Corowa's museum is set apart from its contemporaries with a number of items that hold national significance.
They include the story of how Australian painter, Tom Roberts painting -- Shearing the Rams was created on a property near the township, the 1893 Federation League rally held in the Oddfellows hall in Corowa which was instrumental in the development of Australian Federation and the work of Aboriginal artist Tommy McRae.
"The 1893 conference can be looked at as the spark plug which got federation going,'' Mr Handberg said.
"Corowa was the trigger for federation and ultimately the outcome of that meeting was that power shifted from politicians to the people."
Artist, Tommy McRae lived in the region, in particular near Lake Moodemere, and created a collection of works which show details of Aboriginal life in the region in the late 1800s.
"Historically there really is no comparable artist,'' he said.
"He had a unique way of working as he lay down and drew his subject from the feet up.
"We are hoping to extend the museum in the future with the entrance open to Sanger St so we can display Tommy's work much better.''
And flagship of the collection is the story of Shearing the Rams which keeps visitors rolling in.
"Everyone knows the painting, it is a national drawcard,'' he said.
"While we don't have the original we have the story of Susan Bourne who was the young girl Roberts included in his painting.
"We are lucky enough to have a number of items which are of national interest.
"It has helped establish Corowa as a place to visit.''
But don't think it is only the big-ticket items which hold sway in Mr Handberg's esteem there are plenty of everyday items or quirky pieces which give visitors a graphic portrait of Corowa's colourful history.
"One of the subjects which have driven the collection is the surrounding farming community,'' he said.
"In the early days there were a lot of items donated by surrounding landholders.
"But we have always been very specific in keeping only items which focus on the town and the shire to preserve the local identity.''
Other items in the collection which justify attention are formal garments from the Sanger family, who the town's main street was named after, the proscenium from the original stage in the Oddfellows hall where the 1893 federation conference was held and the original dock from the courthouse.
Then there is a unique collection of hand tools from the 1850s, one of the first electric toasters produced by the GE electrical company in 1908, a shearing shed display from the late 1800s, a tapestry created to commemorate the centenary of federation, several blacksmith shops, a fully restored Ford Model A motor vehicle and a little car built by Wahgunyah resident Jimmy Glare which created a stir in the annual Federation parade.
"It was a trick that Jimmy came up with and he pretended that he had made a motor in the little car which was powerful enough to pull a full size truck,'' he said.
"Everyone was amazed and I think Jimmy was a bit embarrassed the ruse worked so well.
"In the end he had to admit that rather than his car pulling the truck it was the truck which was pushing his car."
Some of the more unusual items include a pedal-powered dentist drill, samples of false teeth, and items from businesses including an industrial clothes wringer, a farm water cart which was produced in the town in the 1900s and is complete with the original Riverina inscription.
"People like to be entertained.'' Mr Handberg said.
"So they like seeing things which are a bit different but also relate to times they can remember.
The museum is open from 1-4pm Saturday and Sunday or by appointment.
EVERY ITEM HAS A STORY TO TELL
STEP into the Corowa Federation Museum and you get a glimpse of Australian history thanks to volunteers such as Alan and Lesley New.
As retired teachers they have brought their passion for learning into the museum through developing new exhibitions and displays.
"It gives me a lot of satisfaction when visitors come through and say they have learned something they never knew, Mrs New said.
"It's also really nice to see someone pick up an object like a flat iron and say they remember their grandmother having one.
"It gives people an appreciation of who used the things.
She said while many of the items on display in museums gave visitors an appreciation of how hard life was in earlier times, the same items could also bring back warm memories of friends of family.
"For instance an item my mother would have associated with hard work, for younger people it would bring back warm memories because their mother or grandmother had something similar, she said.
The couple met in Corowa when they moved there independently to take up teaching positions in the late 1960s.
It was Lesley's interest in collecting stamps that first sparked the couples association with the museum.
"I had collected stamps for many years and in the late 1970s I came to the museum to hear a talk about philately and I guess we have been involved ever since'' she said.
Since then they have worked alongside a dedicated band of volunteers to develop the museum.
Mr New has used his practical skills to build new display areas to provide visitors with a concise glimpse of significant events and items which have been part of the towns past.
But it is what they have got back from their years of volunteering which has kept them coming back for more.
"We have found a lot of friendships with the other volunteers and because we
