Station Precinct Project Moves Forward
Published on 23 May 2022
A new state-of-the-art museum is to be constructed at the Mansfield Station Precinct.
The ‘Mansfield Heritage Museum’ will showcase Mansfield’s history, inviting visitors and community members to explore and learn about local history throughout the ages.
The Mansfield Historical Society has raised approximately $90,000 through community donations for this project, which in turn has attracted over $1.18million in funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
When acknowledging Mansfield’s proud history, Federal Member for Indi, Dr. Helen Haines said she was absolutely delighted that federal funding will enable the Mansfield Historical Society to build its long awaited Heritage Museum.
“This project is a testament to the Mansfield community working together to achieve such a fantastic project - the Mansfield Historical Society, the Mansfield Shire, the Mansfield Cultural Heritage and Arts Centre (MCHAC), Community Bank Mansfield and District, Taungurung Land and Waters Council and the Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network are all to be congratulated.
“The Heritage Museum will be a valuable addition to the tourist offering in Mansfield, as well as giving locals the ability to learn more about their local history”, she said.
The Community Bank Mansfield & District provided seed funding for the initial concept and will cover the final project shortfall.
The announcement represents a huge achievement for the Mansfield Historical Society and their partners in the project, including Mansfield Shire Council, Mansfield Cultural Heritage and Arts Centre (MCHAC), Community Bank Mansfield & District, Taungurung Land and Waters Council and the Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network.
Mayor Cr James Tehan said the museum would be a fantastic addition to the Mansfield Station Precinct.
“Mansfield residents have been calling for the establishment of a museum for more than 40 years in order to preserve our proud history before it is lost in time.”
“The Mansfield Heritage Museum promises to contribute to the creation of a vibrant hub with the potential to host community events, present an active gateway to Mansfield township, provide a linking point in the local pedestrian and bicycle network, provide educational opportunities and celebrate local indigenous and cultural history.”
Neil O’Halloran, President of the Mansfield Historical Society, said he was grateful to Council and the Australian Government for the support shown for this project.
“This project has been a long time coming. The community has shown its support and with Council’s partnership, we will now see the decades of hard work come to life,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Chairman of the Community Bank Mansfield & District Board, David Mayne said “Having funded the Mansfield Historical Society’s initial concept and design back in 2009, this is a great example of how community bank seed funding can help to leverage additional funding. We are proud to support this initiative to help celebrate and preserve the history of Mansfield and surrounding districts”.
The former Mansfield Station closed to trains in 1978. At that time, the land was set aside for community use. The land is currently home to the Mansfield Historical Society and adjacent is the Visitor Information Centre. The Great Victorian Rail Trail begins and/or ends at the Mansfield Station Precinct.
The Treasurer of the Mansfield Historical Society (MHS) Peter Gardner said this week that the MHS continues to raise further funds for the project to support the final fit out of the museum. To contribute, search Mansfield Historical Society GoFundMe.com
For more information about the Station Precinct Masterplan and its implementation, visit mshire.co/PrecinctMasterplan