Apologies for cross-posting! Just a quick up-date on the present situation at the Yack Bank of Victoria Museum. It's now about 6 weeks since our disastrous fire, and we are positive we'll come out of this awful situation alive and kicking... eventually. We had a hugely successful session with four lovely people from Museums Victoria yesterday, who were and are really helpful. They were very complimentary about how Yack is dealing with the problems, and with them we brainstormed a number of ideas for both our short and long-term plans. We have still to settle on the future format of the old building, but will do so soon. This will then give the green light to the insurance people and we can get started on the nitty-gritty of re-building. We will be short of funds soon, but so much has been achieved that we know we just need a bit of financial help. We've had a very successful market of donated goods, held on the one day of rain in about a thousand years (it seems!), and raised a few hundred dollars. But every lttle bit helps. We're planning another market soon, so wish us luck! A wonderful man from Ballarat, who wants to remain anonymous, has donated a whiz-bang computer to replace the one we lost! We think this kind of generosity restores our faith in human beings and the cause and purpose of regional museums. He may want to remain anonymous, but we will certainly acknowledge him at the right time! Our sincere thanks also to those who've donated money to help us, and also to Dianne Carroll for her offer to donate all her CDs of the history of NE Victoria. Thanks Di. One thing's for certain - the fire and its consequences have drawn the Yack Historical Society members together as nothing has ever done before. And we are hugely grateful for all your good wishes. I'll keep you up to date as time and events go by. Cheers, Peter Ross