FUNDING FOR OBERON MUSEUM TO PROTECT CENTURY-OLD ARTIFACTS

Century-old machinery currently exposed to the elements at the Oberon and District Museum will soon be protected for generations to come, with plans to build and store the artifacts in a new Heritage Machinery Pavilion.

In addition, the Museum plans to establish a reception area for visitors and make the site wheelchair accessible to increase its target tourism audience. 

Construction of the Heritage Machinery Pavilion, reception area and the accessibility extension will be supported by a $104,308 grant through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program.

This latest round of bushfire recovery funding by the Federal Government aims to support the ongoing social and economic recovery of communities affected by the 2019/20 bushfires.

Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence personnel, Andrew Gee, said the infrastructure projects will cement the important tourist attraction as a leader in the town’s economic and social recovery.

“From humble beginnings in 1989, the Oberon and District Museum has gone from strength to strength, stunning visitors with its remarkable and ever-growing collection of bits and bobs from yesteryear,” said Minister Gee.

“Visitors from across Australia travel to the region to view the Museum’s great collection of historic household items and photographs, an incredible handmade miniature township, agricultural artefacts and a furnished early settler’s home and blacksmith shop.

“A nearly 200-year old shingle cutter and a horse drawn grader are among the thousands of historic items tourists line up to view each year.

“A number of heritage machinery artifacts are currently stationed outside, braving the elements.

“I’m thrilled the Australian Government is supporting the Museum with a $104,308 grant to construct a Heritage Machinery Pavilion to store the artifacts out of the weather – helping to preserve the historic machinery for many generations to come!

“The funding will also go towards building a reception area, and improving accessibility at the site.

“Our region was devastated by the bushfires and recovery is an ongoing process which is going to take years.

“We’ve already had previous rounds of significant bushfire recovery funding and this latest round recognises that we need to keep building through the recovery process.

“With all of the other challenges we’ve had, we need to keep in mind that there are still many people struggling to get their lives, businesses, and organisations back on track.

“Recovery efforts and funding need to occur over the long term and that is what this latest round aims to do,” Mr Gee said.

The Heritage Machinery Pavilion was awarded funding as part of the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program.

It is one of 524 community projects funded as part of the $390 million grants program, which was established to assist communities to recover from the devastating 2019-20 bushfires.

The Australian Government has added an additional $110 million to the program to provide extra support to those living in affected communities, including Oberon.

This latest funding builds on a $5000 grant through Round Six of the Stronger Communities Program for Oberon and District Museum to purchase conservation equipment and tools, and a $4,250 Volunteer Grant to acquire a ride-on lawn mower to maintain the site.

Media Contact: Sinead Fogarty – 0417 852 386