Waltzing Matilda Centre Opening, Winton Qld.

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:20

ThreadID: 136591 Views:3526 Replies:11 FollowUps:7

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Bob Y. - Qld

A large crowd watched while MC, Peter Lewis, introduced various dignitaries to have their say at the opening of the $23M Waltzing Matilda Centre. They all referred to the late Mayor, Graeme "Butch" Lenton, whose passion for the Centre, and Winton, was a driving force in the rebuilding of the Centre, not quite 3 years after the original centre was destroyed by fire.

Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove & Lady Cosgrove were on hand to open the building, and an Indigenous "smoking ceremony" probably helped keep the many thousands of flies away for a few minutes.

The many contractors & sub-contractors are to be congratulated in having the building ready for the opening, on time. Only a week ago, the surrounds were looking like a "dogs breakfast", but scrubbed up okay on the day.

Opening Ceremony, 20th April, 2018.

Wall to Wall People, everywhere you looked!

John Williamson sang "True Blue" & "Waltzing Matilda", with some help from the crowd.

Winton Mayor, Gavin Baskett, giving his speech.

Even the security guard needed a fly veil!

Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove.

The Cosgroves unveiling the Commerative Plaque.

Front view, after the Ceremony.

Banjo welcomes All.

Bob.

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Reply By: Member - ACD 1 - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:26

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:26

Certainly a mammoth effort to get such an important cultural icon back up and running so quickly after the devastating fire.

I'm glad we came and visited the old Centre but looking forward to discovering the new one as well.

Thanks for keeping us up to dat over the last few years Bob!

Cheers

Anthony

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Reply By: rumpig - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:29

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:29

Saw footage of It's opening last night on the Brisbane news....i also noted seeing several people wearing fly nets as I also see in your pics, must be a few about after the big rain event hey?

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Reply By: ian.g - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:34

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 10:34

Only said to my wife last night while we were watching the opening on TV that you could tell the non locals by the fly veils.

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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 12:53

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 12:53

Hi Bob

Thanks for letting us all know that it is now up and running.

Your photos were great but the sad part is, we have not heard a thing on the news down here in South Australia.

Thanks Again.

Best Regards

Stephen

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Reply By: Idler Chris - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 14:27

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 14:27

I was there last year and you are right Bob, it looked like a "dogs breakfast". The photo's look great but they probably do not do it justice.
I am planning to be in Winton around mid August this year and will be allocating a whole days to see it all properly. It looks spectacular, I cannot wait.
Been to Winton a few times, but usually on ones way to somewhere else. This year I will make it a destination and take it all in. The Tattersalls Hotel has great food and a good spot to while away an hour or three, and walking distance from several CP's.
Thanks for keeping us up to date Bob.
Chris

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Reply By: 9900Eagle - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 15:32

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 15:32

Bob, thanks for the update, would have liked to make it but had other commitments and I thought I was retired.

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Follow Up By: Idler Chris - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 16:20

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 16:20

I am with you Eagle I don't know where people find the time to go to wxxx.
I think we must be smarter than them.
Chris

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Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 18:15

Saturday, Apr 21, 2018 at 18:15

.
Good one Bob. Look forward to visiting the centre next time through.

Incidentally, did they ever identify the cause of the fire?

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 at 12:36

Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 at 12:36

Read the other day, Allan, it was an electrical fault in a store room, at the back of the complex. Originally, it was supposed to be a fault in an aircon unit. Suppose they are one in the same?

Have included a few internal photos from our visit this morning too.

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 at 12:55

Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 at 12:55

We took our Cairns family down to the Centre this morning for a look. Quite impressed, and am sure many others will be too!

Some great displays, with lots to read, so make sure your glasses are clean. The cafe is operational, as is the gift shop, though it appears to have limited stock at this time.

Inside the Main Entrance

The Cafe.

Video Screen highlighting Local Attractions in Winton Shire

The Reading Room - Bring your own book, at the moment!

Might add some more images, once our internet starts to behave. :-(

Bob

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 at 14:12

Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 at 14:12

.
Rather thought it may have been an electrical fault Bob after my observations on my last visit. Saw some pretty iffy electricals then amongst the exhibits. Maybe it was not one of them but it was just a matter of time.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Apr 24, 2018 at 21:37

Tuesday, Apr 24, 2018 at 21:37

Few more images of the Centre.

Entrance to the Gallery.

Inside the WWI Exhibit.

Part of the Waltzing Matilda Exhibit. "New" billabong on the right.

Heres the Windmill, David!

Bob

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Reply By: Member - David & Kerry W - Monday, Apr 23, 2018 at 08:17

Monday, Apr 23, 2018 at 08:17

G'day Bob.
Nice bit of reporting there Bob. We would have been there except.....
Good pics too and had a good giggle at your reading room comment. Looks good but where is the windmill?
Thanks for the coverage, better than the TV!
Cheers, David

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Apr 23, 2018 at 18:01

Monday, Apr 23, 2018 at 18:01

Thanks David.

Windmill was moved down the back, close to the truck bypass, David. Wouldn't have been room up the front and it would have looked out of place up there. Believe it is much happier down there, amongst the lawn and eucalypts. Think I've got a photo of it, that I'll add later on.

Telstra upgraded the internet etc ready for the recent influx of visitors & their electronic devices. However, the upgrade hasn't improved our data speeds by much.

Bob

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Can't remember most of it.

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