Wentworth Military Museum looking for $34m in funding for an upgrade

Wentworth Military Collection hopes to receive millions in government funding to build some exciting new exhibitions.

Wentworth Military Collection is applying for $34m in government funding to improve its exhibits. Picture: Supplied.

The Wentworth Military collection is already home to some of the most immersive Australian history exhibits in the country, but museum curator Russell James has massive plans for expanding the museum.

Mr James recently applied for $35m in government grants with hopes of building a host of new exhibits and experiences across the museum.

“We’ve got the ambition of putting a $34m purpose-built facility here in Wentworth, as an upgrade to what we’ve currently got,” he said.

“March last year we had the council allocate land for us to build [this] project at the aerodrome here in Wentworth.”

Mr James said there were advantages to having the museum built at the aerodrome.

Wentworth Military Collection is applying for $34m in government funding to improve exhibits. Picture: Supplied.

“One of the advantages of having it out at the aerodrome is that we’ll be able to reintroduce RAAF air shows back to regional centres,” he said.

The planned upgrade focuses on building three new exhibits or experiences at the museum; a weapons training simulator system, the ghost of the ocean virtual environment, and Wings Over Wentworth air show.

The Wentworth Military Collection would like to create a ‘ghost of the ocean’ virtual environment. Picture: Supplied.

There would also be funds aimed at maintaining and expanding the current collection and exhibitions like the Marching Matilda audio-visual tour that was installed last year.

All of these exhibitions would be aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of Australia and the world’s war-torn history, with hopes of preventing further conflict.

“We’re about peace and resolution but also acknowledging the effort that has been made in the past, with the aim to avoid conflict and confrontation in the future,” Mr. James said.

The Wentworth Military Museum has also applied to be included on the 2024 Australian Royal tour.