June Moore

June Moore (1919-2011) was a passionate advocate for the preservation of heritage in the City of Randwick. This did not come as a surprise to those who knew her mother, Nell Pillars, the founder of the Randwick and District Historical Society. Nell's daughter June, had a long, devoted association with Randwick and was a great promoter of its history. She was a founding member of the Randwick and District Historical Society in 1957. June was president of the society for two years in 1979 and 1980 and honorary secretary 1961-65, 1968-76 and 1983-88. She was made an honorary life member of the society, in recognition of her contribution to the preservation of our local history. In 2001, she received the Centenary Medal for services to the community, preserving local and built heritage. Without the passion, dedication and enthusiasm of residents such as June Moore, much more of our local heritage would not survive today.

A brief chronology of her involvement with the Randwick and District Historical Society shows her commitment to our heritage. In 1959, shortly after the foundation of the society, June helped organise a heritage display for the Randwick Council centenary celebrations.

By 1963, the Bare Island Fort Museum was established, when the War Veterans' Home was relocated. From 1963-1967 June and her family became resident caretakers of the museum. The museum housed much of the Randwick and District Historical Society collection. At its peak, this museum had over 1000 visitors per week, including school children and overseas visitors who were educated, informed and entertained my the museum displays arranged by June and other society volunteers. By 1976, the Bare Island facility was closed, due to structural problems with the building, such as rising damp, and its growing unsuitability for storage of heritage objects. June campaigned for the historical society to be accommodated in another historic Randwick property, Sandgate, in Belmore Road. This became the society headquarters from 1986 until they moved to rooms in the Randwick Town hall during 1991.

Perhaps one of June's greatest achievements was her contribution to the preservation of Blenheim House, first Mayor of Randwick Simeon Pearce's home in Blenheim Street Randwick. June, co-founder of the Friends of Blenheim House, bought her energy and enthusiasm to a long and protracted campaign to save this property. Her involvement in the fight to save Struggletown in the 1980s, is a similar example of her determination to fight and save our local heritage. June is remembered by long standing society members as having an ability to maintain positive contacts between the society, Randwick City Council and key local residents who had the professional skills to assist the society in their work. She was a great manager of the army of volunteers who man the society's research collections on a weekly basis. June was always researching aspects of local history, and campaigning. It is said of those who knew her,that June thrived on a crisis.

June was ever a keen researcher of local history. Along with artist, Albert Clarke, she started the tradition of the Randwick Rambles, (history walks) establishing the historical society's tradition of publications that continues to this day.

June Moore passed away in August 2011.  June is survived by her husband Milton, and four daughters Orel, Shelley, Kylie and Alanna.