FITTINGLY, Natimuk is now home to Australia's first and only public climbing museum.
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The Arapiles Historical Society officially opened the new building on 57 Main Street on Friday night, as part of the Nati Frinj Bienniale.
Natimuk resident and climber Keith Lockwood told the crowd the idea of establishing a permanent climbing museum in Natimuk first gained momentum three years ago.
"Originally the thought was to have a museum in the back room of the cafe... there's a bit of a display in the (Arapiles) climbing shop, but then word got out, and the Arapiles Historical Society just gave us this building," he said.
"It tells a terrific rich story of a wonderful recreation, pursuit, passion... there is a 535-page book just produced on Tasmanian climbing in there.
"We've had support from Russia to the Czech Republic, and a tremendous lot of donations. Mike Meadows, has given us carte blanche to use all his photos in his Living Rock book, which is the history of climbing in eastern Australia.
"We're going to hopefully revolve the displays so hopefully we can have a different focus for Easter next year."
Mr Lockwood also paid tribute to former Horsham mayor and climber Heather Phillips, who died this year and left money for the museum.
Arapiles Historical Society treasurer Ross Barnes said he hoped visitors to the museum understood how climbers loved the challenge of what they did.
"They really respect the area they're working on," he said. "I'm a farmer, I wouldn't like to do what some of the climbers do but they enjoy it and they're quite safe.
"We've got some climbers getting into their older years now - some have died - and the climbers of the town were looking for a place to store all their history."
Mr Barnes said the historical society also owned the garage next to the climbing museum, as well as the courthouse on the other side of Natimuk's main street.
He said the organisation eventually hoped to turn the garage into an agricultural museum.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
