One of the best remembered in Museum's Collectors Cabinet

17 February 2017

Top Brass a celebration and tribute to Tony

A new collectors display at Tweed Regional Museum Murwillumbah is both a celebration of all things brass and a tribute to one of the Museum’s most dedicated volunteers.

Top Brass is a just a small sample of the private collection of Tony Clark, who was President of Murwillumbah Historical Society until his sudden death last December.

Tony started collecting banknotes and coins around the age of 10 and continued to collect throughout his life. Eventually his collection expanded to include WWI and WWII ephemera, anything related to Indian motorcycles, and more than a few souvenirs relating to his beloved Murwillumbah.

Drawn to brass and glass objects, Tony spent countless hours trawling antique shops and markets for brass, and could spot a shiny trophy from 100 metres away.

Top Brass features in the Museum’s Collectors Cabinet from Tuesday 28 February.

It features a series of padlocks manufactured by Jacksons, one of the oldest lock manufacturers in Australia; metal bits from WWI and WWII kits, and a brass rimmed magnifying glass under which Tony liked to display Roman arrow head - just to name a few.

“This Collector’s Cabinet is very special to us,” Museum Director Judy Kean said.

“Last year we finally convinced Tony to let us feature some of his collection and started working with him to choose which bits to focus on. Then in early December, Tony passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.”

In addition to heading the historical society, Tony was a member of Council’s Museum Advisory Committee and a tireless researcher and chronicler of Tweed history.

“He is greatly missed. We are so pleased to be working with Tony’s family on this display of his collection,” Ms Kean said.

“Not only is it a fascinating insight into his eclectic collecting instincts, it is also a fitting acknowledgement and a celebration of his extraordinary contribution.”

For more information, visit museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au or contact the Museum on (02) 6670 2493.