New-look museum reopens with hall of fame exhibition launch

By Bree Harding

Jul 18, 2024

Shepparton Heritage Centre secretary Margaret Guppy, Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame chair Don Kilgour, Shepparton Heritage Centre acting president and treasurer Kristy Rudd and Shepparton Heritage Centre vice-president Tony Mercer are excited to reopen the Shepparton History Museum and introduce a new sporting hall of fame exhibition. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

After five weeks of hard work, the Shepparton Heritage Centre has reopened with a fresh look and is about to launch an exciting new exhibition, the first of its kind for the city.

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Stage one of the building upgrade to the history museum, located within the heritage centre, included new flooring, plaster, cornices and lighting, and essential repairs caused by storm and rain damage, before the museum space had a fresh coat of paint.

A group of five volunteers worked six long days each week planning, moving, organising, supervising and supporting tradespeople to carry out the works, funded by various donations, grants, insurance and the museum’s funds.

The end result is a lighter, brighter and more open space.

The committee has decluttered the museum by temporarily removing some displays so that what is featured on the floor can be rotated regularly to keep it fresh for returning visitors, and to allow specific themed exhibitions to be installed, such as the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame opening on Monday, July 22.

Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame chair Don Kilgour will open the exhibition, which recognises and celebrates the Goulburn Valley’s sporting history, including individuals and teams who have achieved sporting excellence and made significant contributions to their chosen sport.

Shepparton does not have a physical sporting hall of fame, rather it exists in digital archives and on the walls of the council offices.

The museum’s exhibition, which will run for three to four months, will allow visitors to see Commonwealth Games medals won by cyclist Brett Lancaster and badminton player Mike Scandolera, along with race suits and helmets worn by Andrew Cleave and David Power during speedway sidecar motorcycling.

Dancing fans can view Amanda Garner’s winning Dancing With the Stars trophy in the flesh, while Rod and Dakota North’s speedway bike will be on display next to the track bike Lancaster rode to win his Olympic gold.

Local sporting greats Paralympian Kate Church, cyclist Steve Fairless, softball umpire Margo Koskelainen, Mr Scandolera and Mr Lancaster, who competed in three Olympic Games, won a world title and competed in the Tour De France, will join Mr Kilgour at the exhibition opening.

The Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame Exhibition opens at the Shepparton History Centre’s History Museum on Monday, July 22, at 2pm. Entry is by gold coin donation and afternoon tea and appetisers will be provided.

All are welcome at a general meeting to be held beforehand at 1.30pm.