Sarina Museum victory: 1400 signatures push council to return artefacts

A state MP’s petition to “save” a town’s museum which was feared to have been taken away has claimed a big win, though questions are still being asked about its reopening.

The Sarina museum.

A Queensland MPs petition to save a town’s museum after it was feared to have been taken away by council has claimed a big win, but questions are still being asked about its reopening.

Mirani MP Glen Kelly garnered 1400 signatures for his ‘Keep Sarina’s heritage in Sarina’ petition which was presented to councillors Karen May, Ash-lee Johnson, and Namarca Corowa last week after residents were “shocked” to see the museum’s artefacts were taken off site.

“They’ve been rumours and then the plans at what council were looking at doing four years ago,” he said.

“It sort of shocked the people of Sarina.”

Sarina Museum's artefacts were taken off site for an examination process which would take council about six months. Photo: Mackay Regional Council

Mayor Greg Williamson admitted council lacked community consultation with the Sarina community in a press release on June 6, adding that the museum’s items would be returned to the township once a project documenting the items of significance was completed.

Mr Williamson said the process was expected to take up to six months and that council was also undertaking in parallel a process to look at the entire Sarina Field of Dreams precinct and how it could be reinvigorated.

“We’re not saying the museum collection will definitely not return to that old building, but we want to look at all options to ensure optimum use of that precinct,” he said.

Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged council’s lack of community consultation.

Store owner of Kitten Vintage Mackay Deb Clark said the council’s decision to reinstate the Sarina Museum meant “a great deal to everyone”, the issue “should never have happened in the first place”.

“There needs to be more community consultation and it needs to be out there,” she said.

Councillor Ash-Lee Johnston said the petition’s “incredible” response was a positive step forward, giving the town “an opportunity to co-create a concept” for the Field Of Dreams precinct.

Council made that commitment following a meeting with Sarina Progress Association some weeks ago and with the knowledge this petition was circulating.

But Ms Clark said she was still waiting on what was going to happen with the Mackay Museum.

The Vegemite display at Sarina Museum was a trademark at the site.

“I get asked as a small vintage shop owner everyday if there is a museum to visit in Mackay,” she said.

“What other places talk about Mackay history? And I have to say I’m so sorry, all the museums are closed.

“Everybody would like to know when it’s going to re-open.”

Mr Williamson said there were no plans to reopen the Mackay museum, which hadn’t opened since it closed for last year’s summer break, but that council continued to work on options for an interim regional museum.

Preliminary planning started earlier this year for the opening of a regional museum to showcase a “hero” experience as current local historical offerings “just weren’t hitting the mark”.

Originally published as Sarina Museum victory: 1400 signatures push council to return artefacts