The Chemainus Valley Museum Society held its annual general meeting on March 6, reviewing the past year and electing a new board of directors for 2025.
Eight directors were chosen: Ron Waller (president), Margaret Hyde (vice-president), Val Galvin (secretary), David Lambert (treasurer), Linda Tucker (past president), and directors Amy Brophy, Donna Nolan and Lorraine Boros.
Following the AGM, Waller emphasized the importance of preserving local heritage.
“Museums are a vital community asset,” he said. “The history of Chemainus, being one of the oldest communities on Vancouver Island, is very important.”
“That’s why we’re involved with the museum, is to maintain that history of Chemainus. We’re involved with the museum to continue on with that heritage and for the love of our community.”
He noted that people from all over the world come to Chemainus to see its murals, and that the murals are artistic renditions of images and information that has been gathered and preserved by the historical society.
“The people who live here, we see the murals every day, but you’ve got to remember, when someone comes here from Germany, or from Australia, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen the murals,” he said.
“They’re amazed and fascinated by our murals, and the stories are what created the murals. And I point out to them that each mural is created from an actual photograph or a thought that’s talking about the history of our community.”
The Chemainus Valley Museum opened for the 2025 season on March 13. More information is available at chemainusvalleymuseum.ca.
