The Brumby Labor Government will provide $300,000 to help the Inglewood community develop the town’s historical eucalyptus factory site into a heritage museum in a bid to boost tourism in the small town.
“The Brumby Labor Government wants to ensure Inglewood residents can share their town’s proud history with the rest of Victoria and that’s why we are supporting the development of the museum on this heritage site,” she said.
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the Jones Eucy factory began in 1890 soon after the 19th century gold rush.
“The Jones Eucy factory distilled eucalyptus oil from the surrounding eucalyptus mallee forest. It closed in 1998 and is now in community ownership.
“The museum will showcase period memorabilia and tools of the eucalyptus trade as well as featuring creative displays demonstrating the technical process and telling the story of the bush entrepreneurs and manual labourers who worked here.
“It will also provide local jobs – 30 jobs during construction and one ongoing – while preserving a vital part of the region’s history.”
Ms Allan said the project, known as the Inglewood Blue Eucy Park, would feature a small museum and corrugated iron toilet block.
“This project will continually benefit Inglewood and its local businesses by providing a boost in tourism,” she said.
“It will both enhance and complement the heritage characteristics of the township, its central location to a vibrant wine district, highway frontage, goldmining relics, Kooyoora State Park and the Loddon River.
“I am confident that visitors will more than ever stop, shop and stay in Inglewood.”
Ms Allan said the $300,000 would be sourced from the Victorian Government’s Small Towns Drought Program.
Inglewood is a historic goldmining town situated on the Calder Highway 45 km north west of Bendigo and 195 km west of Melbourne.
Pub: Jan 2010