ABOVE: Wayne Finch at his Highfield home where his father had a maritime museum.
STORY BY Susanna Freymark
Wayne Finch has spent “bloody years” looking for a suitable site for the Finch Maritime Museum.
And he has found it, right in the heart the Kyogle.
The former Oaten and Hoffman caryard on Summerland Way will become the new home for a lifetime of maritime memorabilia collected by Wayne’s father, Frank Finch.
Frank served at sea for 46 years and when he returned to Kyogle, his Highfield home became a homage to his love of life at sea.
He even built a ship above the garage, complete with lookout and cabin. For years people came to the house to see the ‘home museum’.
The lookout will go to the new museum home along with uniforms, radio transistors, ship paraphernalia, models and photos
Wayne followed in his father’s footsteps and went to sea for 50 years.
Both Wayne’s parents have died and most of the maritime items are packed into 20-foot storage containers.
Those container doors can finally open, and the items can be moved to Summerland Way and be displayed in Kyogle’s newest museum.
“Slowly and surely, we’re getting bits and pieces in,” Wayne said.
He is waiting on the completion of exhibition cabinets.
Wayne is renting the Oaten Hoffman site and the Maritime Union has paid the rent for the first year.
In a few weeks time the sign will go up – Finch Maritime Museum.
It will be an exciting addition to Kyogle’s main street. And there is no doubt, the life and memories of Frank Finch will be displayed and proudly remembered.
and then