Three south west heritage projects have received over $80,000 in heritage grants, sharing in more than $2 million worth of new grants to preserve and protect heritage across the State, the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP announced today.
The three projects include:
– $60,000 for the Bessiebelle Sheepwashes & Yards in Macarthur for its restoration project
– $14,375 for the Warrnambool History House collection
– $6,600 for the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Museum collection
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to preserve and protect Victoria’s history,’’ Ms Tierney said.
‘’The Brumby Labor Government’s heritage grants empower local communities to care for, manage and interpret Victoria’s diverse heritage.”
The Bessiebelle sheep washes are the largest and most sophisticated surviving example of a traditional pastoral property sheepwash in Victoria.
“Works include reconstruction of the main channel race and the removal of vegetation in the vicinity of the two main sheepwashes,” Ms Tierney said
“The land is owned by the Gunditj Mirring and current access is limited. However there is a high level of community interest and value in this place.”
The Warrnambool History House collection consists of paintings, local historical artefacts, photographs, documents, film and projection items and digitised photographs and documents.
The Society’s building (the former manager’s house of the Seawater Baths) is undergoing extensive repairs and the collection is currently in storage in various buildings in Warrnambool pending its eventual return.
The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village museum collection includes the contents of a small maritime and shipwreck museum; a recreated Mechanics Institute and the artefacts and props housed in the recreated maritime village.
Most of the artefacts in the village date from 1850-1910 and some have come from VHR or HO buildings in Warrnambool and its surrounds.
“The collection is being catalogued and should be completed by March 2010,” Ms Tierney said.
“The significance assessment is planned to begin after the cataloguing is completed and will enable the organisation to understand the meaning and value of its collection, target its preservation efforts and improve its interpretation.”
Planning Minister Justin Madden said these projects were among more than 71 community projects to share in $2 million in grants to preserve and protect Victoria’s heritage.
“These people and organisations are today receiving recognition and support for their passionate commitment to the State’s heritage,” Minister Madden said.
“Heritage places remind us of our past and provide us with a shared sense of identity.”