Support has been building for the Friends since Hawkesbury City Council voted last month to sell Hawkesbury Heritage Farm (formerly known as Australiana Pioneer Village) at public auction, and disperse the collection of artefacts.

Under the Council's May 12 resolution, the artefacts and display items will be either returned to their original owners; offered to Hawkesbury Regional Museum; or sold to whoever purchases the Village.

But the Friends, many of whom have volunteered hours of their time to keep the Village clean and tidy since it closed in 2000, are refusing to accept the Council's decision.

They have organised a public rally - to take place this Sunday outside the gates of the Village - to protest the decision and keep the site in community hands.

The Friends had submitted a business plan to the Council, requesting a 99-year peppercorn lease over the site, and initial funding of $100,000 to repair the buildings and prepare the Village to open it up to the public. However, Councillors knocked back the plan in an overwhelming 8-2 vote because they feared the ongoing cost to the Council would be too big a burden.

Councillors Christine Paine and Leigh Williams were the only councillors who voted against the sell-off, and both will be attending the rally on Sunday, along with Cr Paul Rasmussen, who is supportive of the Friends but was unable to attend the May 12 council meeting.

Hawkesbury Mayor Bart Bassett, who has said the majority of councillors felt they could not sign off on the Friends' business plan because it was too "financially open ended", has confirmed that he will speak at the rally. Cr Kevin Conolly has also confirmed he will be attending.

Friends president and publicity officer Lesley George said an invitation had been extended to all councillors, but not all have replied yet.