The Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie Boulder is marking the 20th anniversary of its new museum building with the opening of an exhibition about iconic people who have helped make the Goldfields what it is today.
In Kalgoorlie today to launch the exhibition Diggers, dealers and doers – 20 people who made Kalgoorlie great, Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the exhibition featured 20 stories of individuals who had lived, worked and changed Kalgoorlie over the past 116 years.
“The people profiled in this exhibition include major historic figures, infamous characters, ordinary people who were caught up in momentous events and contemporary personalities,” Mr Day said.
“As well as vignettes of Paddy Hannan, CY O’Connor and Claude De Bernales there are the stories of World War One Victoria Cross medallist Thomas Axford, Sadie Canning who was matron of the Leonora Hospital for 34 years and Nobel Prize winner Professor Barry Marshall who discovered the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
“The Museum has created a versatile and interchangeable exhibition so that new stories can be presented over time.”
WA Museum Acting Chief Executive Officer Diana Jones said the exhibition would be a commemoration of the region’s rich history.
“This exhibition will celebrate all that is great about the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community and life in the region.
“The Museum itself has played an important role in the history of the region so it is fitting that we honour that history with an exhibition that gives recognition to these iconic figures.”
The town’s museum had previously been housed in the British Arms Hotel since 1968. Construction of a new building next to the hotel was funded through Bicentenary grants in 1988 and the new museum opened its doors in 1989.
As part of the Western Australian Museum, the new site continued to develop over the years including relocating or replicating a number of historic buildings.
The Sheehan family cottage was moved to the site in 1998, the De Bernales building was constructed to house De Bernales’ boardroom and his East Perth office, while the Hainault shed was constructed using some heritage timbers from the Hainault mine site.
Mr Day said it was appropriate that Diggers, dealers and doers would be on show at the Museum while the Goldfields hosted the Diggers and Dealers Forum and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race Round.
“Both are events that draw people from around the nation and overseas and the exhibition will provide an additional attraction for visitors and locals,” he said.
The exhibition will be on display for the next six months.
Location: WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder
17 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie Exhibition Dates: July 31 – January 31, 2010 Exhibition Hours: Museum opening hours are Monday to Sunday, excluding Wednesdays 10.00am to 4.30pm Cost: Entry by donation Media contact: Renee Dodds +61 [0]8 9212 3860 and 0417 970 237
