EARLY FARMING in North West NSW was often hardscrabble to make a living off the land. The Wee Waa Namoi Echo Museum collection reflects the relics of the life and times of local people who persevered, and sometimes failed in the attempt, and Baan Baa-based singer/songwriter Sarah Leete has captured that history in her new song, “In the Museum”.

The song is an outcome of Sarah’s residency at the Echo Museum and an anthem to those past and present represented in the collection. As one of five resident artists for the Arts North West In the Museum project, placing creatives in historical community museums, Sarah was given time to develop her work, and find inspiration from the Wee Waa collection.

A line from the chorus, “Stories of yesterday, heartbreak up on display,” reflects the history and emotion Sarah experienced absorbing the items on exhibit.

“I think the sheer scale of things they have there and the way it was displayed impacted me. What moved me was the number of artifacts they had, and the very little we know about all of these people and things,” she said

“For instance, a kitchen table is used in a display in one of the buildings. It is clearly very old, and I was very overwhelmed by the moments that would have been shared around that very table that we have no idea about. To most people it's just an old table, but it would have played a very important part in a handful of lives over the years.”

The museum staff of volunteers embraced Sarah, and she said it was very special to hear their shared stories and receive such a generous response to her questions, which impressed her.

Museum committee president Julie Dowleans said Sarah’s residency came at a time when the museum was experiencing a flush of new visitors, both tourists and locals.

“We’re just really grateful that Sarah could come out here, and spend her time coming backward and forwards,” she said, adding that as a local radio announcer, she was looking forward to hosting Sarah on the local station.

“We are thrilled to have Sarah here,” said museum volunteer Fran Luke. “It’s something different and it’s giving us a bit of enthusiasm that we are never lacking but it’s a plus - it’s just a big plus.”

Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer said it was wonderful to see such diverse responses to the collections across the region, such as Sarah’s song.

“We are delighted that we are able to give creatives an opportunity to embed themselves in our museums and to be inspired by our local history,” she said.

Sarah debuted “In the Museum” at a big breakfast put on by the museum on Saturday, 24 April.

“It was surprisingly emotional, but so lovely to give them something back to show some appreciation for the great work they do and the kindness they have shown me,” she said.

“Although I am based not far from Wee Waa, we have a more mixed society now with mining, but the farmers have my heart, it's what drew me to the North West in the first place!”

The Arts North West In the Museum project was made possible through the NSW Government’s Arts Restart program.

A PIECE OF local history inspired Deepwater artist Jeff Manning during his tenure with the Arts North West’s In the Museum residency project for the Emmaville Mining Museum.

The project placed a creative artist, writer or musician within five community museums across the New England North West to develop work in response to their collections.

Jeff had visited the Emmaville museum several times before with guests, but the residency gave him time to reflect more deeply on a significant historical population. Once far outnumbering European settlers to the Emmaville region, Chinese immigrants exponentially formed the bulk of the labour force for the mining boom in the 19th Century.

The museum exhibits include many photos, some understandably faded by time, depicting images of Chinese miners and merchants who emigrated to the Emmaville area.

“I had been aware of the existence of a Chinese Temple, or Joss House, as they were known colloquially, but after reading, in particular Golden Threads, by Janis Wilton, talking with locals and internet browsing, learned of three temples that existed in Emmaville.”

Jeff said the museum acknowledges and represents the Chinese residency and influence in the town, but had few artifacts of that period to display. On the strength of his research, Jeff created two large drawings, which are on display at the museum which represent the daily life and traditions of the Chinese residents of the time.

“The town was originally known as Vegetable Creek as the Chinese in particular grew vegetables and food for the growing population,” Jeff said.

“These two activities, the Joss House and the market gardens, took my interest and I decided to represent the Temple on a Festive day, complete with fireworks, roasting pig, musicians, gambling and general festivities, and another drawing of the gardens at Vegetable Creek.”

Jeff has continued a relationship with the museum committee beyond his residency period to help grow their historical assets in regard to the Chinese who once lived in the area.

“I have been fortunate to be loaned two brass cymbals by the Robertson-Cunninghame family, which are from one of the Joss Houses. These will be displayed in the Museum,” he said.

“I hope my drawings add to the understanding of the activities of the Chinese in Emmaville, as well as different foods and fresh vegetables which no doubt aided the health of the town and with their exotic religions, culture and Festival days, the Chinese were an important part of the fabric of Emmaville.”

Arts North West project officer Michèle Jedlicka said Jeff had kindly walked her through the museum and explained what had most affected him.

“I really enjoyed that. This residency was all about a creative interpretation of history, and Jeff certainly responded with two beautiful drawings.” she said

Jeff Manning’s drawings can be seen on display in Emmaville Mining Museums main building.

The Arts North West In the Museum project was made possible through the NSW Government’s Arts Restart program.

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