The local Historical Society and the Northern Agricultural Association have teamed up to see the restoration of the historic northern pavilion to its former glory.

The new-look pavilion will soon house an extensive display of large heritage farm machinery that will not only ease the congestion at the Burdekin Park Museum (and greatly improve the displays there) but will provide an added area of interest at the showground.

Threshers, harvesters, reapers, wagons and all manner of country life memorabilia will on show.

The intention is to also set up a small blacksmith’s workshop display area in one corner

He said the project only went ahead thanks to a grant of $58,000 from the Rudd Government Job Fund Heritage Projects and a further grant of $5,000 that was allocated to the project when the scope of the work increased.

He said there was also input from Singleton Council’s Heritage Officer Lillian Cullen who he was pleased to report was very happy with the project and its adherence to heritage issues.

The Singleton Woodwork-er’s Group also got in on the act, pre-fabricating the curved fascia for the ends of the 225 square meter building.

The pavilion, designed in 1886 by Pender Architects of Maitland, was originally used for sheep but later was also used for cattle and poultry.

Local company Perram and Toohey was contracted to do the work, meeting the local contract and supply content of the grant.

The project began around March and all involved are pleased it has met its June deadline.