The voluntarily-run and award-wining Yamba Museum is appealing to the community to help raise $33,000 to replace its rusty roof. To date, the museum has raised $16,100 towards the roof’s replacement: $15,000 through a Museums & Galleries NSW improvement grant and a generous $1,100 donation by a Port of Yamba Historical Society member. Initially, the museum was exploring ways to better preserve its collections. An independent report commissioned by the museum recommended the installation of an “R.25 building blanket directly under the roof sheeting”, to complement the incomplete ceiling batts. “This is the first stepping-stone to slow down the detrimental effect on the exhibits and objects,” the society’s president, Marea Buist, said. This, she said, will also “make the building more comfortable for our museum guides and visitors during summer and winter”. However, when local contractors were engaged to quote for the job, it was discovered that the roof sheeting, valley gutters and the air-conditioning unit were badly corroded. “Numerous large rust holes are of great concern because of the potential for water to seep into the ceiling, which happened during recent cyclonic storms,” Ms Buist said. “Water entered the Flinders Room and the area between the toilet and the museum.” Ms Buist said the historical society is planning to run fundraising functions, too. “We are presently considering events such as movie night or an entertainment night at the museum,” she said. People who would like to make a donation can contact the museum between 10am and 4.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday, on 6646 1399, or drop in during those hours. People can also make a direct deposit through the Commonwealth Bank – Account name: Port of Yamba Historical Society; BSB: 062688; Account number: 10153663.