In the small town of El Dorado, in the high country of Victoria, tourist drawcards are vital for the local economy.
The El Dorado Museum, established in 1967 and housed in a schoolhouse built in 1869, has long attracted visitors keen get a glimpse into the town’s gold and tin mining era, discover their family history and see authentic objects.
During COVID-19 lockdowns, visitation dropped by 70%, group bookings became scarce and the volunteer-run cataloguing and archiving program slowed down.
Now looking to jumpstart their recovery, the Museum will use a grant recently secured through the CHART program to rejuvenate their exhibits by installing new industry standard display cases which will create a new visitor experience.
The new cases will improve conservation, prevent deterioration and enable the museum to display their collection by theme.
The $3 million CHART program supports community run cultural organisations, including museums, galleries and historical societies, to preserve Australia’s cultural heritage and encourage cultural tourism to regional areas.
The Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) is delivering the program on behalf of the Australian Government.
Eligible arts, cultural and heritage organisations delivering projects in regional Australia are encouraged to apply, before the CHART program closes on 29 April 2022.
Story image courtesy of the El Dorado Museum.
