About Us
Mission Statement
This association aims to preserve the history of Nambour and District by the collection of suitable artefacts, photographs and written and oral histories. These will be presented on a regular basis in such a way at the non-profit making museum, situated at 18 Mitchell Street, Nambour, to inform and educate the public.
Organisational Structure
Nambour & District Historical Museum Inc is a duly incorporated not-for-profit organisation administered by members of the general public who perform their duties in a voluntary capacity. One of the museum's key supporters is the Hon Peter Wellington MP who has served as Patron since its inception. The management committee comprises a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and a number of other members, all of whom are duly elected at an Annual General Meeting which is usually held in September each year.
Management Committee (2010)
| Position | Office holder | Contact number |
| President | Clive Plater | 5445 0054 |
| Vice President | Fay Thorogood | 5441 1831 |
| Secretary | Barbara Want | 5441 2083 |
| Treasurer | John Freiberg | 5441 2779 |
The Land and Building
The land on which the Nambour & District Museum stands is a small part of Portion 21 Parish of Maroochy Selection Number 914. This was selected on 30 March 1870 by William Samwell. He applied to have the area of 3000 acres reduced to 1625 acres, claiming that the area north of present day Tuckers Creek was unsuitable for pastoral or any other purpose.
Samwell called his property Naamba, an Aboriginal name for the red-flowering ti-tree. Thus, the town of Nambour acquired its name. Samwell's selection was transferred to Andrew Corbett in October 1872 and Lawrence Cusack in April 1875.
In 1892 after protracted negotiations, the South Australian Land and Mortgage Co. Ltd. agreed to transfer one acre to the Department of Public Instruction for the sum of four pounds. These were allotments 47 and 48, part of the land mortgaged to the company by Lawrence Cusack whose estate was being liquidated. Here the Nambour Provisional School was built in the approximate position where the Museum now stands. (Nambour children previously had been educated at the Maroochy Provisional School situated between Nambour and Yandina from 1879 and then in temporary accommodation in a building belonging to Carroll's Hotel near Showgrounds Hill.)
With Nambour's growth, a larger school building was needed. Land to the north of the school was purchased from the Moreton Central Sugar Mill and in 31 October 1898 , Nambour State School opened with 51 children. The old provisional school was converted into a residence for the head teacher.
A new school residence was built in 1908.This residence forms the nucleus of the present Nambour & District Museum . It is hoped that in the near future, these rooms may be restored to their original use. After a new school was built in Carroll Avenue , the Nambour Rural School closed its doors for the last time on 12 December 1930 . The school itself was in use for some time as a venue for dances called "Bob Hops". In May 1932, the buildings were used as isolation quarters during a diphtheria outbreak in the district.
Establishment of the Museum
On 22 April 1992, a public meeting was held at St John's Anglican Church Hall to gauge the support for the establishment of a Museum in Nambour. Twenty-seven people attended and a steering committee was formed of Bob King, David Smart and Claire Joliffe. Monthly meetings followed in the Church Hall and then at the residence of Gwen and Reuel Street.
A generous donation from a local citizen, Mrs Bolton, enabled the Museum Committee to sign a lease in November 1995 for a few rooms in this building and thus the Nambour Museum became a reality with an opening ceremony on 20 April 1996.
However the large annual rental proved an almost impossible task for such a small group of people, so the news that Peter Wellington had negotiated to have the entire building transferred to the museum for the peppercorn rent for $1.00 ensured that the Museum Association would be able to continue.
The Nambour Museum building stands on Mitchell Street named after David Mitchell, a prominent Nambour businessman and a member of the Divisional Board Committee chosen to name the streets of Nambour in 1896.
Working with the Local Community
The Museum encourages involvement with other community groups and is often able to assist with the research required to locate and produce histories. Commemorative occasions are often celebrated at the Museum where displays can be assembled for general viewing at a central venue.
Over recent months, the Museum has worked with Nambour Girl Guides and Palmwoods Riding for the Disabled to produce informative and historical public displays relating to their special anniversary and restructuring events respectively. The Museum has also showcased its services away from its home base by participating with Nambour Futures at the opening of the new Nambour Town Square. The Museum was also represented at Warana and Kawana where two different events were held to celebrate Telstra Country Wide’s 10th Anniversary.
Efforts Recognised
The work and achievements of the local community museum have been formally recognised on various occasions through nominations and awards from local business, government and industry peers. Visitors are amazed at the depth and quality of the materials, artifacts and displays throughout the museum and their comments in the Visitor’s Register reflect their appreciation of this voluntary work.