‘Container’ exhibition officially opened in Wagga Wagga

In today’s global world you may have enjoyed coffee from Brazil or worn clothes made in India, watched a television made in Japan while sitting on a sofa containing wood from Argentina on a laminate floor manufactured in Sweden. All of this has been made possible by a rectangular steel box – the shipping container.

Container, an exciting new exhibition housed entirely in six 20-foot shipping containers developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum, officially opened in Wagga Wagga on 6 February 2019. The exhibition lifts the lid on the way the humble shipping container has revolutionised the way we live.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s Museum of the Riverina will host the exhibition between 2 February and 5 May, 2019, when visitors can literally “step inside the box” to learn about shipping, ports, cargo, the impact of containerisation on the ocean, the origins of everyday objects and even container architecture.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the exhibition gives the community a unique insight into one of the 20th Century’s most important innovations.

“The story behind the shipping container is a fascinating insight in to how a steel box changed the way the world did business,” Cr Conkey said.

“The importance of the shipping industry and its containers affects everyone in every corner of the globe. It truly has revolutionised the way we live.

“I urge everyone in the community to get along to this fantastic exhibition and enjoy the learning experience which is a brilliant showcase of some of the things we use every day and how they travelled so far to be in our possession.”

The exhibition has been embraced by the shipping industry with a large number of its key organisations coming on board to provide essential support to tell this important story.

Major sponsor is NSW Ports which has played a key role in the development of the exhibition.

Chief Executive Officer of NSW Ports Marika Calfas said Container is a valuable educational resource and by supporting and contributing to its creation NSW Ports is helping the community to understand the crucial role ports play in the economy.

“Creating a ‘travelling exhibition’ was important to NSW Ports so that the story of NSW’s container trade could reach as many people throughout NSW as possible,” Ms Calfas said.

“Containers connect us with global markets and support our lifestyles. They connect Wagga Wagga and the Riverina region with overseas export markets and bring overseas products destined for the region into the country.

“The beauty of an exhibition in containers is that it can travel throughout NSW to reach as many people as possible.”

Alongside Wagga Wagga City Council, key sponsors also include ACFS Port Logistics, Maritime Container Services, DP World Australia and Smit Lamnalco. Supporters are Transport for NSW and Shipping Australia. The containers are supplied by Royal Wolf and the Precinct Partner is Property NSW. It is supported by the USA Bicentennial Gift Fund.

Container is located at the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre in Tarcutta Street. It is free to the public. Opening hours are 10am-4pm daily.