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Tweed Shire Council is inviting owners or descendants of community members who contributed a message to a time capsule buried beneath the Murwillumbah Library some 50 years ago to come forward to claim their items.
Council staff, with the support of former members of the now defunct Murwillumbah branch of community service organisation Apex Australia, made the difficult decision to open the three 50-year-old time capsules in a controlled environment due to public health concerns.
The time capsules were buried in 1973 at the start of construction of the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, which includes the library. One capsule was placed by Tweed Shire Council and another by Apex Australia on behalf of the community.
A third capsule – a small, wax-sealed glass jar placed by Civic Centre construction workers – was a surprise find.
At the 50-year mark in October this year, the capsules were made available for public viewing for several weeks while still in their resting place. However, the contents appeared to be damaged by condensation and mould spores which posed potential risks to public health.
In collaboration with Apex representatives present at the sealing and burial ceremony in 1973, Council made the difficult decision to open the capsules in a controlled environment offsite, where the state and preservation of the contents could be safely assessed.
The process was undertaken on Thursday 9 November by staff who are qualified to handle historic items, joined by Apex members Garry Smith and John Henley.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said unfortunately, the seal on Apex’s time capsule had failed to protect the contents, leaving it exposed to the elements beneath the ground.
“Sadly, initial concerns for the conditions of the contents were warranted,” Cr Cherry said.
“The three capsules were originally found buried in the dirt with no protection from the elements. The contents of Apex’s community capsule were damaged to varying degrees – from completely disintegrated through to sodden and covered in active mould.”
Apex’s community capsule contained messages and memoirs in specially printed envelopes from the NSW Governor, the Tweed Shire President, other local dignitaries and the community. Council’s capsule contained newspapers, Council papers, a small number of photographs and several sealed envelopes. The third capsule – the workers’ glass jar – contained papers and letters.
The contents of the Apex capsule were slowly removed and transferred to a plastic sheeting in the sun to assess and neutralise active mould. The remaining two capsules’ contents, which were less affected by moisture and mould, were laid on a table to dry.
Former Apex member Garry Smith said it was disappointing their time capsule had been compromised, however community members would still have an opportunity to view the sodden goods.
“We were so looking forward to an opening ceremony where we could all view and celebrate this moment in Murwillumbah’s history,” Mr Smith said.
“But, unfortunately the capsule did not stand the test of time and succumbed to the elements.”
Murwillumbah has experienced several floods since the capsules were placed, including the major flood in 1974 which inundated the library site and subsequent floods in 1989, 2001, 2008, 2017 and 2022.
Cr Cherry said despite the damaged contents, Council was working with Apex to identify and reunite as many items as possible.
“It is really important the community has an opportunity to be part of this process,” she said.
“Many members of the community have memories or family connections to the time capsules and we want to reunite owners or descendants with what is theirs.
“Due to the penetration of the materials by water and mould, many items are unidentifiable, disintegrated, or stuck together in a sodden clump. However, we are inviting residents to come forward and register their interest in claiming any items that can be recovered and identified.”
One family that was able to be reunited with the contents left for them by their ancestor was the descendants of well-known former councillor Clarrie Hall – after whom the Tweed’s main dam is named – whose letters were better preserved inside Council’s time capsule.
Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/time-capsule to submit an application by Wednesday 20 December 2023 to claim identifiable contents. All unidentified damaged items will be disposed of.
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