The management committee of the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum in Jeparit is looking forward to a big year ahead.

Following the impacts of COVID-19 over the previous two years, 2022 started with the Museum receiving its Significance Assessment. With the support of a Local History Grant from the Victorian Government’s Public Records Office (PROV), Euan McGillivray provided a comprehensive report detailing the importance of the museum’s collection, building on the Master and Interpretation Plan commissioned by the Shire in 2016. This new report will now form an integral part of the road map for the museum’s future.

In June, the two-day Rally over the Queen’s Birthday weekend returned for the first time in three years. It was a fantastic weekend when the site resonated with the sounds of a large crowd, with many dressing up and listening to stories of our past. Uncle Wazza and former Mayor, Cr Melanie Albrecht, opened the Rally with a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and reminiscences of growing up in the area.

Some excitement was added to the day when Dan Mad Dog Morgan made an appearance, but some police officers saved the day in this fantastic representation of the region’s bush-ranging past.

Planning is underway for a big weekend this June for the first King’s Birthday Rally.

2022 was also a year for change, with the museum welcoming Clem Paech and Craige Proctor to the Asset Management Committee. Both are avid historians with very different backgrounds; Clem in farming, and Craige, a former English teacher, recently received the honour of the Royal Historical Society’s Award of Merit for service to Victorian history. Both will be significant assets to the committee, with Proctor having also taken on the position of secretary.

After fifteen years in the position, Peter Pumpa decided not to renominate this year. Peter has provided a decade and a half of diligent service leading the committee and will continue volunteering as Vice President. In addition, Maryanne Paech continues to make a valuable contribution as Treasurer, and Tige Mannington led the organising exhibitors for the Rally.

The museum continues to be open to the public five days per week, thanks to a small band of six regular volunteers.

Looking ahead, the committee is excited to take on new challenges following the Significance Assessment.
Focus this year will be on improvements to the McKay Shed, and the question of storage will be tackled, enabling the museum to display exhibits in a much more accessible way.

Last but certainly not least, we look forward to bringing you more wonderful stories of our past.
An application will be submitted in March, applying for a preservation assessment grant with the National Libraries Association, and work will commence on an update on our catalogue of domestic items.

The committee will build on its relationship with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, updating the Cultural Heritage Display following our Assessment last year and working with the Menzies Institute to bring an exhibit highlighting Sir Robert’s formative years.