BACKGROUND:
Currently the Milne Bay Military Museum is closed to the public.
Since 1991 the museum has operated as a not for profit organisation staffed entirely by volunteers. The museum does not receive any government or private funding depending solely on memberships, donations and success in accessing various grants.
The museum occupies a site owned by the Defence department who have decided they do not want this arrangement to continue. The committee of the Milne Bay Military Museum Assn.Inc. has requested that consideration be given by the Defence Department to donate the site and buildings to the Toowoomba Regional Council, to be held in perpetuity for the citizens of this region.
The Museum Association has now received eviction letters from Defence Minister Marise Payne and Property Management to quit their building by Friday 28th September, 2018. We are therefore asking for support from the public in petitioning the Federal government to remain in the premises.
Please consider if you can support us.
PETITION WORDING
TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
This petition of the Milne Bay Military Museum Association Incorporated and supported by the citizens of Australia draws the attention of the house to the fact that since 1991, while the buildings, including a significant heritage building (the Drill Hall) have been situated on land owned by the Federal Government (the Defence Department) the museum has been run entirely as a not for profit organisation by a group of dedicated volunteers.
The museum provides a vital service to the local and regional community – school groups, service groups and tourism. Currently the Defence Department has forced the cessation of business and suggested the premises should be vacated and all contents removed to another site. This scenario would place a heavy financial burden on the association and deprive the community of a worthy memorial to those who served their country in significant conflicts.
We therefore ask the house, as the custodian of the site, to request the Defence department to gift the current site and buildings to the Toowoomba Regional Council to be held in perpetuity for the citizens of the region, and for the museum to continue to be administered by the Milne Bay Military Museum Association Incorporation on the council’s behalf.
Please download Petition Form HERE:Â Â Petition Address Sheet
After signing, please return to PO Box 18434, Clifford Gardens 4350 Qld or email to: museum25battalion@westnet.com.auÂ
