June 10, 2015
The Ration Shed Museum, a vibrant cultural precinct in the Cherbourg Aboriginal community, gave heartfelt thanks to the Federal Government today for its renewed support.
In early April when the Museum’s funding application to the Indigenous Advancement Strategy was largely unsuccessful, it looked likely the Museum would have to lay off staff and largely close down in July.
But Elders and community members went on the offensive.
They gathered more than 250 signatures on a petition and sent it with an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Deputy Prime Minister and local Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss, Indigenous Affairs Minister Senator Nigel Scullion and his department.
The letter outlined the exceptional value of the Museum and its associated education, cultural and tourism works.
Last week the Museum Board received news that a significantly larger grant had been now made available to the organisation.
“We greatly appreciate that our voice has been heard by Mr Abbott, Senator Scullion, and especially our local member, the Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss,” Museum president Aunty Sandra Morgan said.
“We are extremely grateful that they have worked with government officials to ensure that we can continue with our work.
“It is wonderful to know that government is still backing our success.
“It gives us confidence in our plans to grow the Cherbourg Museum Precinct into a viable cultural and educational centre for our people, for visitors and for schools from throughout south-east Queensland.”
The new grant means the Museum can maintain current employment levels, introduce improved governance systems, run workshop programs, build visitor toilets and do vital repairs to the Boys Dormitory Building.
“We have written to Mr Abbott, Mr Truss and Senator Scullion to thank them and to acknowledge the fact that they have heard the voice of the Cherbourg community,” Aunty Sandra said.
“We told them that we are sure that their confidence in us will be vindicated.”
The success and the growing confidence of the Ration Shed Museum was recognised recently by the State Library of Queensland, which awarded it the 2015 John Oxley Library Community History Award.
The recent Anzac Boys from Barambah exhibition and book launch attracted many visitors to the Cherbourg Precinct.
“People in our region have come to value what the Ration Shed has to offer,” Aunty Sandra said.
“We are grateful that government support for this exceptional community business is ongoing.”
Related articles:
- Some Good News For Ration Shed
- Plea To PM: Please Don’t Let Us Die!
- Funding Knockback Stuns Ration Shed
[Originally published as ‘Ration Shed Museum Saved’]
