25,000 Objects … and counting

Published: 21 Nov 2024 2:10pm

A video documenting the redevelopment of the Museum of the Riverina’s Botanic Gardens site will be screened on Saturday 23 November.

The $8.6 million upgrade of the Wagga Wagga City Council cultural facility included a spectacular new building, creating a new exhibition gallery, learning studio, collection storage facility, public spaces, and staff offices.

Museum of the Riverina Manager Luke Grealy said the redevelopment was a major project and the documentary video will give viewers a look behind the scenes of what it takes to achieve a project of this scale.

“25,000 Objects (or how I learned to redevelop a regional museum) documents the unique challenge of a large infrastructure museum project,” Mr Grealy said.

“The video shows what it takes to redevelop something on the scale of the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site and was recorded and edited by local film maker John Riddell.”

The video takes the viewer behind the scenes on the journey from the relocation of more than 25,000 objects from the original museum site to the opening of the redeveloped museum facility in February 2023.

Museum Education and Public Programs Officer Angus Cawdell-Smith said there were many challenges and highlights on that journey, including dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinating the return of significant Aboriginal objects from other museums.

“At the event on Saturday audience members will be able to take part in the conversation during a facilitated Q&A panel with team members instrumental in the Museum’s redevelopment,” Mr Cawdell-Smith said.

“The screening and Q&A panel will give local residents and visitors the opportunity to get a first look at the documentary and a chance to engage with the museum team who worked on the project and ask any burning questions they have.”

The special screening of the video will be held at the museum at 11am on Saturday 23 November.

While entry is free, people are encouraged to book by contacting the museum on 6926 9650.

The video will also be available online on the Museum’s website and YouTube channel.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the video may contain images and voices of deceased persons.