Museum helping Wagga Wagga stay cool with Summer Holiday programs

Published: 04 Jan 2024 11:02am

The Museum of the Riverina is running a series of holiday activities to help visitors beat the heat and have affordable summer fun this January.

With a series of free daily drop-in activities, weekly sun-safe hat making workshops and family friendly tours there’s something for everyone. There’s even a free icy pole awaiting visitors to help them cool off.

Most significantly, the Museum is reviving its partnership with the Wagga Wagga Society of Model Engineers (WWSME), which operates the Willans Hill Miniature Railway, to open the Museum Station on the first and third Sunday in January.

This will allow visitors to board the train at the Botanic Gardens Station, disembark at the Museum Station and then return after a visit to the Museum.

This partnership is part of a callout for new volunteers for the WWSME, which is in need of additional volunteer support to maintain and operate the Willans Hill Miniature Railway.

Wagga Wagga Society of Model Engineers President Eric Hill said “There is a considerable amount of time, effort and skill that goes into operating the Miniature Railway.

“We are always looking for volunteers so that we can continue to operate.”

Museum Education and Public Programs Officer Angus Cawdell-Smith acknowledged the miniature railway’s popularity.

“The miniature railway is a hugely popular attraction and an asset to the Botanic Gardens Precinct.” Mr Cawdell-Smith said.

“Partnering with the WWSME helps bring new audiences to the Museum and we hope that, in turn, this partnership will help to attract new volunteers for the WWSME.”

In addition, the Museum of the Riverina is also running the MoR Sunsafe initiative to not just help beat the heat, but to support the community’s overall wellbeing.

Free water and sunscreen are available to visitors, alongside free mosquito repellent and COVID-19 tests, as part of Wagga Wagga City Council’s environmental health campaign in conjunction with NSW Health.

Museum Manager Luke Grealy said “We hope that our MoR Summer Holiday Programs will give Wagga Wagga locals and visitors a fun new way to cool off this summer, while enjoying everything the Museum has to offer.”

The MoR Summer Holiday Program will run until Sunday 28 January at the Museum of the Riverina, Botanic Gardens site (on Lord Baden Powell Drive).

Open hours are 10am - 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 2pm Sunday, closed Monday.

For further information, visit the Museum’s website www.museumriverina.com.au