THE Coalfields Museum re-opens this Saturday. Collie Shire Council’s museum advisory committee, volunteers and shire workers have completed a series of tasks required before the building could be re-opened to the public.
Committee chairman Cr Joe Italiano said no entry fee would be charged this Saturday and Sunday to mark the special occasion.
Normal admission charges ($5 for adults and $2.50 for children) will apply as of Monday.
Cr Italiano said the museum would be open between 10am and 3pm, five days a week, from Thursday to Monday inclusive.
“We are very keen to have as many people as possible visit the museum and provide feedback,” he said.
In the initial stages part of the museum would remain closed as work in these areas still needed to be completed. Museum co-ordinator Tom Reardon would continue to co-ordinate work in these areas.
“Clearly the people who started and ran the museum have left us a tremendous legacy,” he said.
Museum founder, the late Stan Cull, and Kaye Mavric, who managed the museum for some years prior to its closure late last year, had “succeeded in providing Collie with a varied collection of items reflecting Collie’s history”.
A museum manager, Tania Roberts, has been appointed and will soon be seeking volunteers to help during opening hours and with work on various parts of the collection.
Anyone who would like to help in the running of the museum, either as guides or to do work on parts of the collection, should contact Ms Roberts or Mr Reardon during opening hours at the museum.