Family launches wagon
May and Millar family descendants have officially unveiled a restored May and Millar wagon at May Park in Horsham.
The project, led by the Horsham Tidy Towns committee, involved recovery and restoration of the historic wagon, and its placement in a protective shelter alongside an historic Millar Fountain in May Park.
Horsham Tidy Towns committee chairwoman Gillian Vanderwaal said many horse-drawn wagons from the past were slowly deteriorating in sheds and yards of Wimmera farms.
“This project has reclaimed one of the May and Millar wagons which had for many years been decaying beside the Wotonga Basin wetlands in Horsham,” she said.
“It was the committee’s great pleasure to lead the charge to restore the wagon to its original glory, and have it displayed for all to enjoy.”
Horsham mayor Pam Clarke said the Tidy Towns committee had worked hard and with dedication on the wagon and many other projects across the region.
“The council congratulates Horsham Tidy Towns committee and the entire restoration crew on a job well done, and thanks them for bringing the wagon into a space where it can be appreciated by the entire community,” she said.
The restoration crew was led by Horsham East Rotarian and retired builder Chas Mcdonald, and included skilled members of Horsham Lions clubs, businesses and residents.
A group of year-nine students from Horsham College also gathered historical background information on the wagon with Horsham Historical Society, culminating in the development of a brochure.
The project involved refurbishment of all steel fixtures and features, replacement of timber where unusable, and preparation of surfaces to a standard fit for painting. About 700 hours of skilled labour including carpentry, handpainted pin-striping, and highlights were involved in the restoration.
The second phase of the project involved raising money to rehouse the wagon in May Park. The community raised all money for the project which helped leverage extra funds for improving other May Park facilities.