Greenough Museum unveils new community exhibition ‘160 years of Weddings & Unions of Love’

Greenough Museum and Gardens has unveiled its latest exhibition, celebrating ‘160 years of weddings and unions of love.’

More than 30 community members turned out for the exhibition launch on Saturday, September 3, featuring loaned treasures celebrating weddings, marriages and other unions of love.

The exhibition is on display at the Greenough Museum and Gardens until October 10.

The launch celebrations marked the 160 year anniversary of the historic John Maley and Elizabeth Waldeck wedding on August 26, 1862 at Greenough.

The Maley family homestead is now the Greenough Museum on Phillips Road.

Exhibition curator Gary Martin said: “We are overwhelmed with the response from people in loaning their gowns, garments, gifts, photos and most importantly the stories that celebrate not only the past but our rich social diversity.”

“Unions of love and marriage take many forms, and how they are marked and remembered.”

The display includes the marriages of many local couples and highlights the changing wedding fashions over generations including a 1968 lime green minidress reflecting a Mary Quant design.

The Carpenter, Cairn, Eastough and Garnaut families have a display of gowns made by three generations of women.

Management chairperson Margaret Jones said: “We invite everyone to come and experience not only this current exhibition but to enjoy the Greenough Museum’s extensive permanent collection, historic buildings and wander in the stunning blooming gardens.

“We thank the City of Greater Geraldton for supporting our community museum and the Bendigo Bank Geraldton for a community grant for this exhibition.”