More than five years of planning and hard work was publicly acknowledged and celebrated last weekend when the $3.5 million Warren Museum and Art Gallery was officially opened, with Warren Mayor Milton Quigley describing the site as “a magnificent facility for western NSW”.

A pair of original blade shears from the museum was a fitting tool for Senator Deborah O’Neill to cut the ribbon, a task she performed in front of more than 100 people at the sell-out event.

“I want to acknowledge Federal Member Mark Coulton for his advocacy in getting this project the funding it needed, and I’d also like to congratulate John Burke for his vision and determination,” Ms O’Neill said.

“This is my first visit to Warren and I’m delighted on behalf of the Australian Government to declare the Warren Museum and Art Gallery open.”

Senator O'Neill uses a pair of blade shears to cut the ribbon.

As referenced by Ms O’Neill and reported in a previous story on the Western Plains App, the idea for the museum was first put forward by local citizen Dr John Burke.

“I’d been associated with the Warren Historical and Family History Society for some time and community members were always wanting to donate items of historical interest, but we lacked room to display them,” Dr Burke said. “The idea of a museum was a natural progression and when I put the concept to a meeting back in 2018 the Society members agreed.”

“Soon after we formed the Warren Museum and Gallery Association, a grant opportunity came about in 2019 and in June 2020 then Federal Member Mark Coulton announced the successful grant application of $3,541.665 million!”

The building, formerly known as Collier’s Tyre Service, was bought from Daryl and Helen Collier, a project management committee was formed and the complicated process of overseeing the sympathetic restoration and refurbishment of an historic building began.

John Burke and Mark Coulton MP at the start of the project.

Attendees to Saturday’s opening included Mark Coulton MP and Warren Mayor Milton Quigley, along with representatives from Dubbo Terrazzo and Concrete Industries who carried out the construction and Lions Advantage who did the project management.

Once the ribbon was cut, all were invited inside to view the site, described as a spacious modern facility nestled into the original streetscape. The museum features a restored vaulted ceiling, polished Australian hardwood floors and original brick walls onto which locally significant images are projected while the adjacent gallery is a completely new fit-out with fresh white walls and simple lighting.

The current museum installation includes information about the town’s history, specifically the Wailwan people, explorers and early European settlers, the Macquarie River and Macquarie Marshes, and a range of agricultural and domestic items, including the leather football that was used when the All Blacks played Western Districts at Warren in 1957.

The Warren community has wholeheartedly supported the new museum and gallery.

Next door in the gallery, artworks by local creatives are on display, with all to be changed on a regular basis, as explained by Project Management Committee member Phil Leman.

“The display is currently at base level, and we’ll build on that throughout the years. With the use of computers and IT we can easily change things in the museum and keep the interest of the displays up,” Mr Leman said.

“It’s not going to be a static museum where everything remains the same and people get bored; our main aim is to make it a place of interest and education and with the help of technology, we can maintain that quite easily,” Phil Leman said.

Project Management Committee Larry Wilson, Barb McKay, Jude Fleming, Lianne Clark, Mary Small, Judy Ridley, Phil Leman

The building itself has had an interesting history. Records show the site was first registered by a William Rutledge but it was when it was owned by prominent businessman at the time, Adolf Alexander, and used as a general store, it was destroyed by fire in 1899.

It was rebuilt, along with many others in the street, with insurance money procured by Mr Alexander before being sold to Mansours, who continued its use as a general store.

In 1951 it was bought by Vic Parker, who converted it to a garage business, before selling it to the Colliers in 1979 who used it as a tyre outlet.

Speaking at the opening John Burke acknowledged all who had helped with the project over the past five years including the federal government for the funding, reserving his greatest thanks to the project management committee, of which he is chairperson. 

“These seven people displayed unstinting loyalty and dedication over many, many meetings. There was stress at times and frayed nerves, but throughout all, their contribution and support has been immeasurable and I thank them from my heart,” Dr Burke said.

“Thank you also to the Warren community members who have expressed so much encouragement and support, and to those who donated items for display. We now have a wonderful facility for current and future generations to enjoy.”

The Warren Museum and Art Gallery is open 10-am 4pm every day except Tuesday.

Mark Coulton MP, Dr John Burke, Senator O'Neill and Mayor Milton Quigley at the opening.