Written & researched by Trish Crowe-Grande, Chair: OMAH History Committee
Richard Oatway played a pivotal role in the founding of OMAH, from its early days to post the amalgamation of the Art Gallery and the Orillia Historical Society in 1999, serving on its Board in various roles on and off for ten years. His knowledge of those early days is vast, and he was happy to share with us his recollections of those early years.
Richard was approached by Sue Mulcahy in 2001 to join the Board. The past two years had been challenging in getting the idea of a museum up and running. There was a risk that it may not even happen. But Ms. Mulcahy, who had offered her office space as a temporary location for the Museum shop, was determined that this vision became a reality. Oatway was asked to join the Board whose job was to reassert itself as the operating control of the museum. His primary motive for joining the Board at that time was to save the historic Sir Sam Steele building. It is, according to Oatway, the nicest building in the downtown core.
When asked if he had any qualms in those early days, he replied, “No, it was easy. It was in the ditch, but everyone felt it was possible to get it out and wanted to do it. We were committed to get the museum back to a solid operating level.” This determination, along with those who served on the Board with him, was the backbone that enabled the vision of a cultural hub in our community to become a reality. Richard’s contributions at the time were his business-like approach to things, which was identified as a key opportunity in moving forward and he, along with a few other businessmen and lawyers, joined the Board. He felt his key contribution, as the museum was ramping up, was to establish good governance and provide input on the costing side of things. He served on the Board for several years and during his tenure spent most of his time as the Building Committee Chair and the Treasurer. He said, “Once it got going, it was fun! I was delighted to help it be restored.” Asked on the evolution of OMAH since that time, Richard, who still maintains his OMAH membership, said he feels very satisfied. “The museum is well-governed these days and the building is well-maintained.” His advice to current Board members is to stay the course.
Image credit: Source – Orillia Packet and Times. Article Title – Surprises at Every Turn During Orillia Museum of Art and History Renovation. January 9, 2013.
Over the years, Richard, now a resident of Oro-Medonte, was involved in other community endeavours besides the Museum. He fundraised for the local YMCA before the amalgamation with Simcoe County and served on the Board for the Victoria Order of Nurses.
Jean Sarjeant eloquently summarizes Richard’s contribution: “Richard Oatway is and always was a very honest and extremely warm person. His knowledge of financial affairs was superb and OMAH needed that steady perspective during the major renovation of the wonderful Steele Building. Obstacles and unexpected matters that come with very old buildings were always handled expertly by Richard. Along with his expertise in financial matters Richard has a warm welcoming personality that is always there – he always had time for you and your concerns! We needed that many times over the construction period and he was and still is always available. We would have struggled a lot more without him and his famous addition of coffee and muffins every day!!”