27/08/02
The Western Australian Museum Geraldton and its newly completed Mid-West Gallery were officially opened today by the Minister for Culture and the Arts, Sheila McHale.
The gallery signals the final stage in development of the new museum, which attracted $7.8million of State Government funding.
Ms McHale said the completed WA Museum Geraldton provided a gateway to the Mid-West region.
"It is an outstanding community, educational and tourism resource for the people of the Mid-West and WA as a whole," she said.
The new museum building was handed over to the community in July, 2000. It now houses four permanent galleries: the Mid-West Gallery, Shipwrecks Gallery, Aboriginal Gallery and Travelling Exhibitions Gallery, as well as a theatrette.
The Mid-West Gallery explores the natural world and the area's social history.
It investigates ancient landscapes and the bizarre inhabitants of the past, like two-metre long sea scorpions, through to today's equally amazing biodiversity in a region stretching from the desert to the reefs of the Abrolhos Islands.
"The Mid-West Gallery is rich in indigenous stories, exploring the lives of the Yamaji people and the impact of European settlement," Ms McHale said.
" It highlights the history of the region's exploration and the development of Geraldton as a port and centre of tourism.
"Already, the numbers of visitors to the museum has grown to 70,000 people a year.
"Now, with the completion of the Mid-West Gallery, there will be an even greater incentive for people to visit Geraldton and the Mid-West region."
In August 2001, Premier Geoff Gallop opened the Shipwrecks Gallery, which showcases the stories of four Dutch shipwrecks, including the infamous Batavia tale of mutiny, murder and survival.
In May 2002, the Marra Aboriginal Corporation moved their collection of indigenous art into the Aboriginal Gallery. Their celebration of contemporary indigenous art and culture complements the stories of the past now portrayed in the Mid-West Gallery.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
