Friends of the Morden Mine
Welcome to the Friends of the Morden Mine website. We are a non-profit society dedicated to the preservation of the most complete above-ground remains of an historic coal mine on Vancouver Island. The concrete remains of the head frame, 75 feet ( 23 m.) tall, and tipple are located in Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park in South Wellington, just south of Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Since the society was formed in 2003, we have been actively promoting awareness of the need for preservation of the structures, which were built in 1913, and also the history of Morden Colliery and the men who worked there. We are in a race against time to prevent further deterioration, as the first collapse of a horizontal beam on the head frame took place in November 2005. In order to prevent further damage, we need your help and welcome new members and donations.
Constitution
Friends of the Morden Mine was established in 2003 under the B.C. Society Act (RSBC 1996, ch433) In 2006, the society applied and was approved for charitable status.
- The name of the Society is: FRIENDS OF THE MORDEN MINE.
- The purposes of the Society are:
(a) To form a society under the Societies Act to promote awareness, interest, understanding and support for the preservation and restoration of the Morden Colliery and railway within the boundaries of Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park.
(b) To research and preserve the history of the Morden Colliery, railway and the terminal facilities at Boat Harbour on Vancouver Island.
(c) To collect and preserve artefacts and archival material relating to the Morden Colliery.
(d) To provide interpretive opportunities to educational groups, tourists and the public.
(e) To organize and promote special events related to the mine and the coal mining industry on Vancouver Island.
(f) To enter into agreements with the Province of British Columbia, other government bodies, and organizations sharing similar purposes for the benefit of all. - In the event of winding up or dissolution of the Society, any funds of the society remaining after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such organizations that work for the benefit of the Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park or organizations promoting the same objective of this Society, as may be determined by the members of the Society at the time of winding up or dissolution; and if effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provision, then such funds shall be given or transferred to some other organizations, provided that such organization referred to in this paragraph shall be a charitable organization, a charitable corporation, or a charitable trust recognized by Revenue Canada as being qualified as such under the provisions of the “Income Tax Act” of Canada from time to time in effect. This provision is unalterable.
Bylaws
The bylaws of the society are those set out in Schedule B to the Society Act, with the following varions, deletions and addtions:
- Bylaw 25(1) of Part 5 be revised to:
Directors: 2008/2009
President: David Gogo. Noted blues guitarist/singer from Nanaimo, dedicated to preservation of local mining history.
Vice-President: John Hofman. Chair of Nanaimo Community Heritage Comission, professional engineer.
Secretary: Rick Morgan Survey technician, mostly in northern B.C., business owner, now living and working in the Nanaimo area.
Treasurer: Ingrid Greenwell. Longtime FOMM member, bookkeeper for Friends of Morden Mine and other non-profit societies.
Corresponding Secretary: Charlie Christopherson. Raised in South Wellington, former Vancouver community activist and heritage supporter, now relocated in Nanaimo.
Members at Large:
Beverley Eert: Architectural designer, classical musician and teacher, community and social activist, concerned about preservation of Nanaimo and area's unique heritage.
Eric Ricker: Former professor of Educational Policy, Dalhousie University, raised in Nanaimo, now living here in retirement, writer/editor currently involved in community planning and heritage issues.