A toast to Tumbulgum
28 November 2016
Tweed Regional Museum acquires historic bottle of rum
The Tweed Regional Museum has secured a rare piece of local history with the acquisition of a one-of-a-kind bottle of rum from local producers Husk Distillers.
Husk Distillers announced the release of limited edition rum to celebrate the 150th anniversary Tumbulgum village.
‘1866 Tumbulgum Rum’ was officially launched at Tumbulgum as part of the Tweed River Festival on 12 November. 1866 was the year the Tumbulgum Village was formally established.
Bottle 001 of 1866 Tumbulgum Rum was auctioned online, with proceeds donated to the Tumbulgum Community Association to continue to improve and enrich village life.
Tweed Regional Museum’s Acting Director, Kate Gahan said the Museum was successful in securing the bottle for its permanent collection and it will be on public display in 2017.
“The bottle tells many stories about the shire, and indeed the region; from the history of the ongoing economic development of the Tumbulgum area, to the rise of paddock-to-plate agribusiness and sustainable craft-based food production,” she said.
“What is especially unique about the stories this bottle represents is the ongoing change in local sugar cane production, which has a long history in the shire.
“Based on a cattle and cane farm at Tumbulgum, Husk Distillers uses its own freshly crushed sugar to craft the rum. It also utilises waste from sugar cultivation and distillation on the farm to treat weeds and feed animals.
“Husk Distillers has adapted to small scale cultivation, harvesting and crushing of cane to use its own crop. This change is a departure from more traditional local sugar cane production methods.
“The Museum is pleased to be able to tell this story through this new acquisition for current and future generations.”
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Caption: Founder of Husk Distillery, Paul Messenger with President of the Tumbulgum Community Association, Jenny Kidd (left) and Curator of Collections and Programs at Tweed Regional Museum, Erika Taylor