It was a great shame the late Tim Fischer couldn't have been there to see the new working machinery shed named in his honour, his wife Judy Brewer told those gathered at Jindera Pioneer Museum on Sunday.
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An estimated crowd of more than 600 people braved the rainy weather to see the opening of the new working machinery shed dedicated to the man renowned for being "a great supporter" of country communities and a long-standing patron of the historic attraction.
The former deputy prime minister - the boy from Boree Creek - passed away in 2019 after a protracted battle with cancer.
But there's little doubt he would have relished seeing the hundreds of (mainly) families who flocked to the museum open day to marvel at the machines of yesteryear and take a peek into the past.
Jindera Pioneer Museum & Historical Society president Margie Wehner said she was "stunned" by the response to the day particularly considering the weather.
"There were a lot of families who made it a bit of an outing and they came from Yackandandah, Talmalmo, Jingellic and Gilgandra," Ms Wehner said.
"They were amazed by all the machines, their size and the variety of things here.
"The open day is a tremendous opportunity for people to see just how good it is here."
Ms Wehner was particularly proud of the number of visitors who commented to her that the museum was right up there in terms of the attractions they'd seen.
"I had at least four people, who've been to hundreds of museums across the state, say this should be listed as one of the top 10 museums," she said.
"It's great feedback for us because we've really tried to be progressive, to develop the attractions and to find new ways to entice people to come."
The atmosphere of this incredible community event was captured on the day by local artist and museum volunteer Caroline Reilly.
Ms Reilly positioned herself in the thick of the bustle and set about painting a large mural with the new working machinery shed and thatched hay shed a feature of the artwork.
"Caroline set herself up so she could take in the scene and painted from that; it's yet to be finished and we're not sure where we will hang it yet ... but it may very possibly take pride of place in the new machinery shed," Ms Wehner said.
