THE planned Australian Milling Museum (AMM) in Bathurst has just secured $100,000 in NSW Government funding to help make the dream a reality
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The AMM is the brainchild of Tremain’s Mill owners Stephen and Glenda Birrell and it will be located in the expansive Tremain’s Mill site on lower Keppel Street.
Tremain’s was originally a flour mill and it not only employed a host of people during its existence, but once had a train track running through it to allow thousands of tonnes of grain and flour to be brought in and sent out for distribution.
Milling was of such importance to cities like Bathurst across Australia, however, no museum or central location exists to collate the extensive history.
Bathurst MP Paul Toole said the $100,000 Heritage Near Me grant would help the AMM become a reality.
“This is about continuing to make sure we protect the heritage and the history of our local areas,” he said.
“Most towns had a flour mill, they had a bakery in their towns and what we’re doing here is capturing some of that history by installing a national milling museum.
As important as having examples of milling equipment from around Australia, we’ve identified how important it’s going to be to tell the stories of the people who actually started this industry.
- Tremain's Mill owner Stephen Birrell
“It’s important to understand where we’ve come from and where we’re heading and that really tells us about a community that we are.”
Mr Birrell, along with the help of researchers, has already begun collating Australia’s milling history and equipment to display in the AMM.
“As important as having examples of milling equipment from around Australia, we’ve identified how important it’s going to be to tell the stories of the people who actually started this industry,” he said.
“There are some family industries and dynasties that are now fourth generation.”
Mr Toole said the AMM would further promote Bathurst as a tourist destination.
“It’s going to promote the local economy and I think this $100,000 investment is going to be something unique and its going to be exciting that we can all be very proud of in this area.