Kerang Heritage Exhibition Centre will be upgraded and expanded with the help of a $72,993 Victorian Government grant announced today in Kerang by the member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad.
The new facilities are expected to attract more tourists and boost appreciation of the region’s heritage.
Ms Broad said the $100,325 Gannawarra Shire Council project would modernise and revitalise the centre, which houses one of regional Victoria’s most extensive agricultural heritage exhibitions.
“This project will upgrade the centre into a display museum that offers more displays in a modern exhibition environment,” Ms Broad said.
“It will be a strong attraction for the thousands of people who visit Kerang each year.
“Better presentation of the centre’s extensive historical collection will not only boost tourism but deepen appreciation for the region’s rich agricultural heritage.”
Ms Broad said the project would include:
- Expanding the exhibition hall to display bigger machinery, including a steam engine and two pressers and two hay bailers
- Building a meeting room, kitchen and toilets
- Installing rainwater tanks.
The centre’s 3000 antique artefacts and furnishing - maintained by Kerang Historical Society – include machinery, cars, tractors and literature.
“An increasing number of donated pieces of equipment as well as the volume of people interested in preserving the community history and viewing it mean it has simply outgrown its facilities,” Ms Broad said.
“The project will provide fitting accommodation for this valuable collection and an appropriate venue for tourists and local community groups.”
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the project grant was being provided under the community building, infrastructure and economic growth aims of the Government’s Small Towns Development Fund.
Ms Allan said the project typified initiatives supported by the fund, which were making a big difference to towns in provincial Victoria.
“The Small Towns Development Fund is helping Victoria’s smaller towns create jobs, drive economic growth and improve community infrastructure,” Ms Allan said.
Through Regional Development Victoria, the fund has provided $40.2 million toward 423 community and social infrastructure projects worth $87.8 million.