Wellington's Oxley Museum management reveals it's strategic plan

It will reinvent the famous local landmark by moving it to a new and exciting location and, like council, make the museum fit for the future. The museum may be sold by council but the long-awaited plan opens the door for new opportunities.

"We are looking at a new location which we think will work as a modern, easily accessible museum," curator Dorothy Blake said, adding that she hoped the museum might be similar to the one in Milthorpe.

"We hope Wellington Council will work with us to establish a venue that Wellington can really be proud of."

Through a $3576 state government grant the strategic plan was completed with consultant Margot Jolly.

"We felt it was a good time to plan with the possible loss of the building and look at what their options were, reinvigorating themselves for the 21st century," Ms Jolly said.

"What impressed me about the historical society is they have been on the front foot with their ideas and have been thinking about the possibilities of improving the museum and growing in the community. It is not a static museum and they have wonderful up-to-date showcases."

"They are all volunteers and don't have lots of money, but they still want to keep upskilling."

She said a number of things had been covered in the plan, looking at all of the museum's opportunities for grants and strengthening some of the fantastic stories and historical assets the museum had, such as its collection on Chinese history.

"Wellington is the second town gazetted west of the mountains and the first penal settlement. It has an amazing history compared to other towns which grew up around industry. This had a convict settlement, gold, farming and an influx of different cultural groups like the Chinese -as well as a strong Aboriginal history. 

There is an enormous opportunity to engage visitors with their stories."

Mayor Rod Buhr said Council was very keen to work with the historical society in developing a plan for the museum going.

"The strategic plan for the museum is the first step towards developing a long term plan including an alternative site and turning it into the tourist attraction we all know it could be," he said. The strategic plan will soon be submitted to council.

At the moment the Oxley Museum is also looking at spearheading a celebration of the bicentenary on Oxley's arrival in August 2017. She has put the call out to any descendants of Oxley or convicts in the Wellington area. 

If anyone is interested in being involved, you can contact her on 6845 3562.