A live diamond python proved to be no obstacle for a team of volunteers who helped transform the Bobs Farm Community Hall into a temporary home for the recently established Tomaree Museum Association.
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The TMA's publicity officer John 'Stinker' Clarke said the python was spotted by volunteers who took part in a winter clean working bee at the hall last Sunday.
"A team of committee and member volunteers managed to remove the odd piece of broken furniture, evidence of resident mice and a diamond python as they gave the historic building a new lease of life," Clarke said.
"The TMA members now have a dedicated venue for meetings, and a site to accept, clean and catalogue artefacts received for the museum collection."
Bobs Farm Hall has been a centre of social activity for the Port Stephens farming community since the early 1900s and the TMA invites stories from the community relating to its history.
"Bob himself was a convict stockman who grazed cattle between Newcastle and Anna Bay. When Magnus Cromarty eventually became the owner of the land in the 1850s, he referred to it as Bob's Farm," Clarke said.
"Marsh Road in front of Bobs Farm Hall was a track over the sand hills, then eventually a formed dirt road until it was metaled in the late 1930s. The pioneer families would get together at Bobs Farm Hall for sumptuous suppers and dances."
The community is invited to view the web page at tomareemuseum.org.au for full details on how the Tomaree museum project's future plans to build a new regional museum for Port Stephens.
The group also share historical photos and stories on its Facebook page.
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