New museum in Big Rig Roma shines light on region’s oil and gas past

A new museum in Roma is shining a light on the history of oil and gas in the region, in both an homage to and also largely because of a passionate local oilie turned historian.

Debbie English, Edrine Keegan, Thallon Keegan and Bill Keegan. Photo supplied.

One of Roma’s biggest tourist attractions has unveiled a brand-new interactive exhibition, bringing to light the origins of Roma’s oil and gas past, in equal measure homage to and because of one of Roma’s finest historians.

The Maranoa Regional Council and the Keegan family unveiled the Peter Keegan Museum at the Big Rig at Roma on November 8, dedicated to the legacy of one of the most trusted authorities on Roma’s oil and gas history.

Since Mr Keegan’s passing in 2021, his son Thallon has taken on the role of “curator” of Peter Keegan’s archive.

Thallon and Edrine Keegan, Debbie English and Bill Keegan. Photo supplied.

Mr Keegan said while he does not own the archive, he has carried on the research of the local history out of both a desire to carry on his father’s legacy, while stressing the importance of learning about and from history.

“I believe that history is very important,” he said.

“Without it, how else do we move forward?”

He said Roma, along with other towns dotted around the Maranoa region, are fortunate to have groups and individuals who are committed to the preservation of their unique and storeyed histories.

The Peter Keegan Museum officially opened at the Roma Big Rig on November 8.

“Every town has a story to tell, every person has a story to tell,” he said.

He said this was a core tenant of his belief - something he inherited from his father - that every single person’s history was important.

For many residents, Roma’s history with the oil and gas industry makes up at least part of their personal history, and is generally a formative time in the town’s past.

The Peter Keegan Museum officially opened at the Roma Big Rig on November 8.

Mr Keegan emphasised that while the new museum at the Big Rig might carry his father’s name, it’s not about him.

“It’s dedicated to other people’s stories,” Mr Keegan said.

However, one section of the museum, known as Keegan’s corner, does delve into Peter’s personal history, given his instrumental role in Roma’s oil and gas past.

The Peter Keegan Museum officially opened at the Roma Big Rig on November 8.

Peter Keegan’s wife, Edrine Keegan, said from 1976 he worked for a company called Hydrogen, where he was responsible for going door to door to landowners, negotiating the use of their land for drilling.

Mrs Keegan said the oil and gas industry was one of Mr Keegan’s passions, which later in life married perfectly with his love of history.

In this way, Mr Keegan became in many ways an authority for the history of the oil and gas industry in Roma, and often spent his time teaching and educating others.

Despite his robust knowledge and passion, Mrs Keegan said the late Mr Keegan was a private person, and was sure he would be “embarrassed,” by the attention a museum in his honour would afford him.

“He was never one to be upfront, he did all the work behind scenes then he would hand it on to somebody else to continue it or to use it as they wished,” she said.

“I am very proud, proud of my husband, proud of the contribution he has made to this town and very glad to see it being utilised.”

The new museum is set to be an asset for tourism in the South West Queensland town, Maranoa Council tourism spokeswoman Jane Vincent said.

Maranoa Region councillors Peter Flynn, Jane Vincent, mayor Wendy Taylor, Edrine Keegan, deputy mayor Cameron O’Neil, councillors Meryl Brumpton and Amber Davis. Photo supplied.

“The Big Rig is already a fixture in any Outback Tourism itinerary, and the Peter Keegan Museum adds another compelling reason to visit,” Mrs Vincent said.

“It complements the Big Rig’s Night Show, that draws heavily on Peter’s knowledge and passion for our history, as well as the Big Rig Tower and its unparalleled views over Roma.”

Maranoa Regional Council mayor Wendy Taylor and Edrine Keegan. Photo supplied.

Maranoa Regional Council mayor Wendy Taylor said it was valuable to teach both residents and visitors about the region’s history, and its importance in the oil and gas industry.

The museum was built with the help of $400,000 from the Queensland government and $120,000 from the Maranoa Regional Council.