Albert restores organ to its former glory
Albert Fox has been working to restore an historic pedal organ at the Warragul and District Historical Society.
The Mason and Hamlin cabinet pedal organ was once owned by John Dodds who made a significant contribution to music in Warragul from the 1890s through to 1920s.
The pedal organ was donated to the historical society in 2017 by Mr Dodds’ granddaughter. After being restored, it will take its place in the museum at the Old Shire Hall.
Malcolm Dickson of the historical society labelled Albert Fox “truly a magician” for his work over recent works on the historic organ.
Mr Dodds was a popular music and singing teacher, long-time secretary of the Athenaeum and provided entertainment services for every charitable, patriotic and other effort during his time in Warragul.
Amongst those was Warragul Social Club opening dance in 1892, Federation celebrations in 1901, opening of the new Buln Buln Mechanics’ Institute in 1906, and dedication of Christ Church, Church of England at Bloomfield (Nilma) in 1907.
Mr Dodds was secretary of the Athenaeum for about 25 years and had a cottage at the rear of the hall.
When World War I broke out, his four sons went to the front and returned. He left Warragul in 1921 to be closer to family.
Mr Dodds was remembered for his “kindly and loving nature” and noted for being “always courageous and obliging, and ever ready to give his services to any function organised for a worthy cause” upon his death in 1923.
The society’s museum at the Old Shire Hall in Warragul has reopened to the public. The museum features a range of historical photographs.
It is open every Thursday between 10am and 2pm and the second and fourth Sunday of each month between 2pm and 4pm.
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