The historic mill dating back to 1859 was purchased by Mr Birrell in May last year and he has big plans for the 8522 square metre site.

The museum will be housed within the Tremain’s site and it has already captured the attention of the Australian Technical Millers Association (ATMA).

And, the ATMA recently confirmed its interest in helping Mr Birrell to fill the museum with items to assist with the preservation of the country’s milling history.

“What they are going to do for us is look for some equipment,” he said.

“If the ATMA supplies the equipment, we’ll provide the floor space.”

So keen is Mr Birrell for the museum to be a showpiece in Bathurst that he has hired architect Robert Morris-Nunn to design the space.

He said one of Mr Morris-Nunn’s most well-known architectural designs was his transformation of the old IXL jam factory in Hobart to the now elegant Henry Jones Art Hotel.

Mr Birrell said Mr Morris-Nunn’s designs are sympathetic to the heritage of the building while creating a new and workable space.

There is a lot of interest in preserving not only Tremain’s but milling history of Australia, Mr Birrell said.

“There were books, memorabilia and technical information,” he said of items brought along to a public open day.

Mr Birrell said in its day flour was milled at Tremain’s and it will be the ideal location to preserve milling history. 

“The museum should be able to self-fund within two years [of opening],” he said.

Mr Birrell has five distinct areas planned for the restoration of the Tremain’s site – a marketplace, an open space, events space, the museum and the verandah area which contains the Victoria Stores building, and once complete it will further add to the development of this part of Bathurst.

Mr Birrell said while he did not know that Bathurst Regional Council were planning a rail museum at the old Railway Institute Building on Havannah Street, its proximity to Tremain’s will be a benefit for both sites.