It seems shire history (Leader, August 14) runs a poor second to developers' interests in the pro-development dominated Sutherland Shire Council.
The historic Gunyah House built in 1870 as part of the Thomas Holt Sutherland estate is believed to be the oldest surviving house in the shire.
The house was acquired by a more forward looking council in 2003. The present council's attitude is "flog it off".
The council should not only preserve the house but place the Shire Historical Society's museum within its walls.
The society would make an excellent custodian of this historic asset. How many shire people know we have a shire historical museum within the cramped School of Arts at Sutherland?
If Wollongong City Council can do it with their old city post office why not the shire?
Maybe sand mining company Besmaw, the Holt family company, which has made and continues to make a "motza" out of Kurnell, could further contribute to the shire by redeveloping Gunyah House.
What a great memorial to the directors of Besmaw's forebear, Thomas Holt.
George Miller, Sutherland
What would you like to see happen to Gunyah?
