The study’s working group aim is to see a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art Horsham Regional Museum. 

Horsham Rural City Council provided a $10,000 community grant to the working group.

One of the reasons behind commissioning the study is that the Horsham Historical Society is running out of storage room at its location inside the Mechanics Institute on Pynsent Street.

The society has about 1000 objects and tens of thousands of photos, films, slides and negatives as well as newspaper archives for several mastheads.

Horsham Historical Society treasurer Gillian Francis said the group had been working together for 12 months.

“The main membership is the RSL, the Wimmera Association of Genealogists and the Horsham Historical Society, with advice from the Horsham Rural City Council,” she said.

Mrs Francis said the working group’s aim was to see a new museum built that would enhance the presentation of historical objects and records.

“We don’t wan’t to duplicate what’s out there, we want to enhance it and preserve and enhance our history,” Mrs Francis said.

“We want to encourage visitors and locals. It’s one thing to encourage visitors to travel to the area but its another to involve locals in the museum and its resources.”

Stage 1 of the study will look whether a new museum is feasible in the first place.

“In determining that, the consultant will look at what is available as standing museums and collections in the region and in Horsham,” Mrs Francis said.

“They will also look at what is somewhat unique to our area to use as a focus for the museum.”

If the study proceeds to stage 2 in 12 months’ time it will look at potential museum design and locations.

Mrs Francis said anybody with historical objects that could go in a museum should get in touch with one of the working group members.