GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Graaff-Reinet Museum held its 67th AGM on Friday 5 July. Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Peter Whitlock presented his annual report, that highlighted the achievements of the museum, particularly emphasising the progress made in digitising its historical photographs under the guidance of Prof Johannes Haarhoff. 

The digitisation project is set to be rolled out to the four other large museums in the province, with meetings already held to this effect.

The head of the museum, Dr Anziske Kayster, presented an overview of the museum's operations during the period under review. She noted the loss of two colleagues due to illness over the past year. 

Kayster also highlighted that the museum cannot operate without the financial support of the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), which has once again increased its annual financial transfer to the museum by nearly 100%.

One of the highlights of the year was the publication of the Cradock Street Cemetery register, a project conceived by Haarhoff. On behalf of the museum, he updated the register of the old cemetery between Cradock and Stockenström streets that served as the main burial ground from 1844 to 1910, making it a site of considerable historical value.

Brian Hough and Liesl Erasmus were unanimously re-elected as the representatives of the Friends of the Museum organisation. They will be serving a one-year term.

The successful AGM concluded with an enlightening talk by Prof Noëleen Murra on 'The Karoo Museum', the gist of which was to find new ways for museums to think outside the box and to use their audiences and the landscapes in which they are situated to become living museums.

The financial report was tabled by Don van Wyk of the auditing firm Van Wyk Theron. The audited financial statements will be circulated together with the annual report within the next two months.

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