THE enthusiastic music lovers of Braidwood are getting  together to help restore one of the town’s most priceless treasures, an historic organ located in St Andrews Anglican church, and hope Canberrans travelling down to the coast to chip in.

The pipe organ, encased in carved wood with glass doors, was built by W.G. Rendall of Adelaide, one of Australia’s most prolific organ builders, in 1904 and was unveiled in a recital on Thursday, August 4, 1904 by the organist of St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, Joseph Massey.

The organ was rebuilt by L.S. Waters, also of Adelaide, in 1975, when the pedal division was electrifed. Despite the re-building, this organ if considered to be the most original example of Rendall’s work in NSW.

Over many years, the Rendall organ has accompanied church services and choral groups, including several from Canberra but now, Citynews has been told, the instrument is badly in need of repairs.

On Friday, February 7 from 9am outside the newsagency in the main street of Braidwood, a street stall will be held by members of the local community to raise funds for the refurbishment of this local treasure.