Sadly, our dedicated Tarella Open Day Volunteer at Blue Mountains Historical Society has passed away.
She will be missed and always remembered here with great fondness.
Visitors to Tarella were often greeted by Mary as they stepped into the hallway then turned into the McLaughlin Room where Mary would knowledgeably discuss the McLaughlins of Tarella and answer any questions about displays and furniture in the room.
Mary was energetic, happy and smiling at Tarella. Always willing to have a catch up chat during quiet moments, always willing to assist with any task including the closing up routine at days end.
Mary was also involved in other roles here at BMHS, she assisted with School Groups, mid-week large Tour Groups plus she often worked in the kitchen assisting with the extremely important provision of good food for any occasion.
Mary is extremely well known by all involved in the research and protection of our history in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. She was particularly involved with the Mt Wilson 1880’s Turkish Bath Museum and the MT WILSON & MT IRVINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC where she was Research and Public Officer. Described as the “indefatigable research officer” she wrote and published extensively.
From the Blue Mountains Gazette in 2017: When Mr Rod Stowe became the new Head of Blue Mountains National Trust he stated he had been particularly inspired by the work of another Blue Mountains resident, Mary Reynolds OAM.
“Mrs. Reynolds helped foster my love of history when I was one of her high school students in the mid 1970s and set a wonderful example in her subsequent commitment to advancing heritage education and preservation in Mount Wilson and the wider Blue Mountains”.
(https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/5022727/new-head-of-national-trust/)
