04/08/2023
End Of An Era?
I’m don’t offer commentary about situations like this but some decision leave you in absolute bewilderment at times.
Much was made late last year as first the Cobdogla Steam and Irrigation Museum faced a challenging future with its principal sponsor, SA Water deciding it would not longer provide a yearly stipend help the museum with some of its key costs, an interesting decision at best considering the museum is (was?) the only dedicated irrigation museum in Australia, located in a key wine grape growing area whose very existence was because of irrigation.
Then the rising Murray River resulted in the volunteers being locked out of the museum on the grounds of Work Health and Safety. Now, whilst on the surface it’s hard to argue against this decision by SA Water as ultimately parts of the museum grounds became inundated by the rising water, causing considerable damage to some of the infrastructure of the museum, some members of the Society argued, indeed petitioned Government that the heavy handed, near draconian, approach to a total lock out and the ongoing lock out months after the waters had receded begs the question if the natural disaster wasn’t used by some to further an undercurrent to close the doors on the museum as an operating entity.
Finally, the inability to successfully transfer the lands from Crown Lands to the Museum society so they could re-open the doors and at least attempt to run the museum as a stand-alone business seems to have been the final nail in the coffin for this nearly 40 year old endeavour to preserve local history. Ironically (I’m told), one of the key factors in the Crown Lands not being willing to transfer the lands is the perception that the museum can’t afford to operate and pay the necessary insurance etc. Then again, when you are faced with a natural disaster during your peak revenue raising season and then locked out and not able to operate for subsequent holiday times your ability to create an income becomes severely restricted. And all this when the Museum leadership had finally made changes to bring parts of their financial system into the 21st Century with EFTPOS facilities, meaning the many non-cash carrying visitors who might not have previously visited will now never come in.
So what does this mean? Well, for the members of the museum society, several of whom planted the seed with the then Engineering and Water Supply back in the 1980s to create a museum where people could learn and have an enjoyable afternoon out, its means a very uncertain future. I’m told that the Society have been promised to be virtually gifted many of the museum assets that they have painstaking restored to working order, including a 0-4-0 Bagnall Engine, Fowler Traction Engine and other pieces, to go with the assets that they themselves already own and there will be support to help them relocate to a new venue, but how do you move several km of 2’ Gauge railway, potentially turntables, and all the infrastructure that’s been created over the past nearly 40 years to allow them to operate – workshops, stables and shed, water tanks, fire pits. One can only hope that a suitable solution can quickly reached and the many members can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Such an abject shame. Whilst the Government is able to provide support in terms of recovery grants for businesses affected by the river, it seems its not unable to support its own museum, yet at the same time it has been involved with painting a (albiet lovely) 50' long mural on a pipeline running between the river and Adelaide to create a tourist attraction and highlight the link between the corporation and the community. Doesn’t an active museum where you can learn about the history at the same time as having joyrides for kids also do that? Maybe I’m wrong, but I'm fairly sure it the flow on effect well after the than the artwork on a pipeline has faded.
Anyway, if you are reading this and wondering if you can help, I’m sure you can. Whilst letters and comments of encouragement let the members know that you care, if you are feeling highly philanthropic perhaps get in touch with the museum. Whilst the local Berri Barmera Council is fully onboard with helping the museum survive and SA Water is, it must be said, helping with assistance to move and the transfer of assets, what they critically need is a guardian angel. Someone who can see the value and who can step in help with the financial help and business guidance to allow them to stand on their own four wheels (so to speak). I can guarantee they will listen. Or it needs the SA Government to realise what its likely loosing and to turn around recent decisions and keep the light on and the sounds of kids giggling with joy aloud as they ‘drive’ a 25 tonne traction engine or ride along behind the 115 year old steam engine through the vineyards and past the river.
Halloween themed nights, Santa’s Christmas Express or just a regular steaming day. Mirth, laughter and a slice of history all in one spot, complete with a hamburger and chips. Possibly, probably, likely, soon to be a thing of the past unless something can change or a new home can be found.
The photos below have been taken by me over a number of years and re-posted here. Just so people can see the joy the society brings to kids young and old. I’ve been visiting the museum since I was a little boy, years before it was a museum, when it was an idea in the minds of my father and several others. I think all my brothers and sister, mum and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins similarly had guided tours of the grounds at one point or another and the equipment in the years leading up to the museum coming in to being. As kids the traction engine and the little locomotive were playground attractions and we only dreamt of them operating as young children do in play.
And I haven't even mentioned the world famous and heritage listed Humphrey Pump. One step at a time.
Peter Malinauskas, Susan Close MP and SA Water, perhaps its time for a reprieve and a new way of looking at this? Its not to late. This isn't just a working museum, its a community that binds together people from all walks of life across the Riverland and across this great state of ours.
If you feel strongly enough, please repost this into your interest groups or share amongst friends at work at see if the message can get out. And let’s hope for common sense and a bright future as once it’s gone, its likely gone forever.
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