Our region is rightly proud of the many and varied cultural facilities right at our doorstep, but how many have you actually visited?

It is a strange human trait that we tend only to explore a city’s cultural attractions when we go on holidays.

At the same time, we always say we’ll visit our own museums “one day”, but never quite get there.

Well, this weekend might just be the time to change all that and finally take a look inside some of the local jewels that inject millions of dollars into the Bathurst economy each year.

A report launched at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum yesterday reveals that 26 cultural facilities across the seven Evocities – Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Armidale, Tamworth and Albury – contribute $32.35 million to the gross regional product and $15.4 million to household incomes in those regions.

And, with five facilities run by our council – the fossil museum, Chifley Home, National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre and Bathurst Regional Art Gallery – Bathurst is well ahead of the field.

Two of those attractions – the Chifley Home and motor racing museum – are unique to our region and simply would not work anywhere else, while the fossil museum is unrivalled across the nation.

Bathurst Regional Council must be congratulated for its commitment to building on our cultural facilities even in the face of occasional opposition.

And while it costs a lot to establish and maintain these facilities, yesterday’s report shows that in addition to the intangible contribution they make to the cultural wealth of our region, well-run museums and galleries pay their way as well.

If you don’t believe they’re worth the investment, try visiting one today.