General News
3 August, 2023
Historian collecting museum advocates
Keen historian Col Thomas is buoyed by support from history lovers for a Horsham regional museum which records the area's stories over the centuries. Organisers are working towards further planning and have agreed to invite a speaker from...
Keen historian Col Thomas is buoyed by support from history lovers for a Horsham regional museum which records the area's stories over the centuries.
Organisers are working towards further planning and have agreed to invite a speaker from Scienceworks or the Melbourne Museum to speak in Horsham.
They also plan to list possible suitable items of interest and alert people with existing collections there might be opportunity for these to be on display in the new centre.
A project study group comprises chair Kevin O'Brien, Mr Thomas, Sally Bertram, Bill Ower and Shayne Keenan, Rod Jenkinson, Annie Mintern, Noel Janetzki and Libby Peucker. Bob McIlvena and Ian Ballinger indicated willingness to contribute as requested.
Issues discussed at meetings have included ways to attract younger people to be involved, different display ideas, finding a "point of difference" with other museums, and developing a policy regarding acceptance of items. Suggested sites include the former Olde Horsham premises or Horsham Wool Factory site.
Other suggestions have included linking with smaller museums such as at Warracknabeal, Harrow and Orange in NSW. It was also considered that a highway location could be an advantage, although not necessary for success.
An initial meeting heard details of a $20,000 feasibility study carried out in 2018 which was funded by Horsham Rural City Council and backed by Horsham's historical society and RSL.
An estimated cost of $9.4 million without ongoing costs was identified for a museum in 2018. No further action had followed.
The 2018 study uncovered many heritage collections across the rural city and district, and determined these could be in one venue where people could visit and learn about the area's past.
The study group will have its next meeting in Horsham Civic Centre on July 27.