Museum Location
The Nambour & District Historical Museum, more widely known as the Nambour Museum, is conveniently located in the centre of town at 18 Mitchell Street, Nambour, just a short walking distance from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council chambers. The museum property extends from Mitchell Street, where the main building and entrance is located, through to Bury Street with a rear entrance and car park for members and bona fide visitors.
Main museum building and entry facing Mitchell Street
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Rear entry to museum and carpark from Bury Street
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Museum Hours
The Museum is open to the public every Wednesday and Saturday between 1pm and 4pm. At other times, access may be arranged for group visitors such as retirement villages, schools and tour operators. Appointments may be made by calling (07) 5441 1831 or (07) 5441 2083.
Admission
| Adults: | $3.00 |
| Children: | $1.00 |
Facilities
The former Nambour State School residence which was built in 1908 is now the home of the Nambour & District Museum. This building is progressively being restored and its many rooms offer something for everyone, enabling the visitor to take a walk down memory lane.
Each room has a specific theme about the home eg the kitchen, the laundry, the parlour, the toy room, the telephone, while others are devoted to business and the local community eg Moreton Sugar Mill, Nambour Hospital, War Memories, Scouting. Don't miss the amazing Matchcraft Collection featuring replicas of sailing and war ships and the truly unique Scene in a Bottle.
The downstairs area which incorporates the workshop area has an impressive display of the implements, machinery and tools used at home, on the farm and in business. Included is the complete collection of Bill Potter's boot making tools and workshop equipment from the Moreton Sugar Mill and an original red public telephone box.
From the front of the building, take a walk down Memory Lane (western side) to inspect some of the heavier items of machinery including a section of the Moreton Mill smoke stack before taking a close up view of the locomotives, Engineers' Office, Loco Shed and other reminders from the Moreton Sugar Mill. Ask to see the vintage cars awaiting expert help with restoration work.
Take a stroll down memory lane
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Take time to reflect on what was once a thriving sugar mill and ponder about the future .... and what the local community would like to see in its place.
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On the return journey, stop for a while at Memory Lane (under the giant avocado tree) to glance at the vacant mill site next door, reflect on the past and ponder about the future …. Will the Museum’s new neighbour be high density housing, a huge shopping centre, a visitor information centre, a tranquil park or perhaps one of our last remaining heritage houses? What would you like to see?
Bookshop
The Museum has a number of items for sale in its bookshop. These range from small souvenirs such as key rings and greeting cards to local craft and interesting heritage publications researched and written by local people. The publications cover a broad range of heritage issues including the origins of local street names, early settlers, the rise of sporting groups, schools, the Moreton Sugar Mill and the local Sunshine Coast (Nambour) Show. The complete list of publications and other items which may be purchased from the museum appears on the Resources page.
Volunteering
Museum is heavily reliant upon donations for its ongoing development and survival. One of the most important gifts that members of the local community can offer is 'volunteer' time. The Museum has experienced tremendous growth and development in such a relatively short time and this is due to the untiring efforts of a few dedicated volunteers. To realise its enormous potential benefit for the town and in terms of preserving our local heritage, more 'hands on' assistance from local people is essential. Volunteers are always welcome, even for a few hours per week or the odd day or two, and the experience is a most rewarding one. Check out the wide range of duties and skills desperately being sought on the Notices page.
Sponsorship
The Museum is a non-profit incorporated organisation which is reliant on successful funding applications to government agencies for financial assistance on the occasional major capital projects. For the many other smaller tasks and maintenance responsibilities, the Museum is somewhat restricted from achieving its true potential by a lack of funds and resources. The Museum welcomes and duly acknowledges any assistance from the business/government sector. Donations are tax deductible.
Acknowledgements
The Nambour Museum wishes to acknowledge the following organisations and agencies for offering and providing important financial assistance to not only enable key development works to proceed but also to support ongoing management and maintenance activities.
- The former Maroochy Shire Council - for partial funding of the Loco Shed, nursery supplies, research support and carpark surfacing
- Queensland Government - for repair and repainting of historic 1925 steam locomotive "Eudlo"
- Australian Government - for partial funding of the Loco Shed and funding of mowing, gardening and other small equipment
- Nambour RSL - offer of financial support for communications and other related technologies
