A report outlining the way forward for the George Evans Museum space will be presented to council in June 2023.
At a meeting on Monday, February 13, councillor Jarrod Bell requested council acknowledge the “sense of loss” by the Sunbury community of the museum space located in the former council chambers building in town.
Cr Bell’s motion said the loss was felt “particularly by the many historical and heritage community groups in the Sunbury area”.
His request asked for a path forward be investigated, including looking into how to meet needs to the standard of the former George Evans space, options for an alternative space for local history and whether reopening the museum in short or long term is achievable.
“It is on almost every occasion when I speak to members of the [Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society] it was always a real sore point that the space was no longer available for both the conservation collection, and then display of the history of Sunbury,” Cr Bell said.
“The town that is the home of Emu Bottom, the first homestead of this state … the birthplace of the Ashes and a town with a rich and diverse history that is definitely worth celebrating.”
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society treasurer Trevor Dunn said he’d welcome an offer from council for something reasonably new and modern to continue their important preservation work and associated exhibitions.
“The George Evans Museum exhibition area is closed down, but there is still a little room out the back where all the collection is stored. That is what has to be moved, and then we need some exhibition space,” he said.
Cr Bell said his motion addressed the “ongoing question mark” over the future of the George Evans Space.
“The building is still there, it is still housing the collection, what is it to be used for,” he said.
“If not that, what are the other opportunities for us to display what is an important collection to the history and community of Sunbury on a more ongoing basis.”
