A new slice of Deniliquin history has been lovingly restored and is now on exhibition at the Deniliquin & District Historical Society Museum.

The wooden door from the original Deniliquin Goal was donated by the Maher family.

Deniliquin Men’s Shed members were enlisted to help bring it back to life for a display, with Garry Mills, Pat Cleary, Carlos Gambro, Ian Celebraine and Rob Gow leading the project.

The members were helping clean out John Maher’s shed and garage when they came across the historic item.

“Our dad received the door when we used the bricks from the gaol to build our shop in Cressy St,” Paul Maher shared.

The Men’s Shed members offered their services to restore it for the community, and it was delivered and installed at the museum last week.

Historical Society member Ian Lea said it’s come up well, and has been mounted on the front wall of the museum.

“From photos that the society has, it is believed it was the door leading through the original south wall of the courtyard to the ‘new’ gaol section,” Mr Lea said.

“The door has a peephole, but not a food delivery opening, as was used on the doors of the internal cells of the gaol.”

One of those internal cells doors is already on display inside the museum, which also has other external doors and an original gaol padlock in its collection.

This adds to a display and collection celebrating the NSW Police Force in Deniliquin, and paying homage to the museum building’s original use as the police inspector’s residence.

The Deniliquin Gaol was located in Edwardes St, in the now empty car park opposite the Deniliquin Baptist Church.

Built in 1864, three executions were carried out at the gaol.

At times, it held up to 50 or more prisoners, and it was eventually demolished in 1966.

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Monday, 20th March 2028

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