A piece of Boorowa's history was unveiled on Friday, April 27 when the Boorowa Historical Society and Museum officially opened its new print studio. Housing an old Potter Proofing Press which once sat in the Boorowa News office the print studio is located at the rear of the Boorowa Museum in Marsden Street. Society and museum president Stephen Meere said the grant for the new building was applied for by past president the Late David Evans. "In 2017 the museum was bequeathed the original press from the Boorowa News," Mr Meere said. "Once in Boorowa it was stored in a garage for several years. "Unfortunately David passed away before seeing this day happen," he said." "The building was built by AL Banks, Alan and the person who did most of the work, his son Joseph. And the electrical work was done by Tim Berry," Mr Meere said. Made in Chicago (c.1910) the press is a galley style press originally designed to print proofs (uncorrected prints) of articles for the newspaper. The Boorowa Men's Den also played a role in the new building, constructing benches. "We thank them for this and all the other jobs," Mr Meere said. The new print studio is air conditioned thanks to grants received from the Bendigo Bank. The bank also provided funding for concrete paths from the museum constructed by Duncan McGrath. Officially opening the print studio, assisted by Hillltops mayor Margaret Roles, member for Goulburn and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said it was sad David Evans was not present. "He was a great man who certainly served his community well and he will be very much dearly remembered for that," Ms Tuckerman said. "Can I just say congratulations to all the volunteers here at the museum. The work you do is fantastic. "We have so much to celebrate, so much to remember. "It is important we are making sure that we are keeping our heritage in the condition that it needs to be to show people what we and the past is all about," she said. Funding of nearly $80,000 for the project was provided under the State Government's Stronger Country Communities Grant program which is administered by local government. "To council, congratulations on making sure this sort of funding is available to our small communities and such important infrastructure is in place to protect our past," Ms Tuckerman said. The old Boorowa News press was no longer used to proof or print issues of the newspaper after the second world war. It was later bought by Gabrielle Stewart, an art teacher at Boorowa Central School who lived in Frogmore and ran the Frogmore General Store. Gabrielle moved to Bundanoon where she continued to use the press to produce artists' prints. She bequeathed the press back to Boorowa in 2017. Through the efforts of members of the Museum and Historical Society and a generous grant from the State Government the Print Studio was built to house the press for public display and demonstrations. Sheree Kinlyside made a donation of metal type to be used in the studio.
