Eden Killer Whale Museum (EKWM) revealed its plans to refurbish and renovate to members of the local community during a morning tea held at the museum on Thursday, September 6.
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According to EKWM curator Jody White, the popular tourist attraction hasn’t undergone any changes for 25 years and she believes now is the right time to freshen everything up.
“With so many wonderful curatorial opportunities available today there is amazing potential to create a world class museum,” she said.
Through taking advantage of contemporary exhibition techniques such as dramatic lighting and sensory experiences, Ms White hopes the refurbished gallery spaces and revamped displays will create an immersive experience for visitors.
The skeleton of Eden’s famous killer whale, Old Tom could have its very own space overlooking a backdrop of Northern Bay.
“People want to feel something,” Ms White said.
“By placing Tom’s skeleton against a Northern Bay backdrop visitors can visualise what the conditions were really like for whalers. They might also reflect on conservation and how things have changed.”
The museum counted over 50,000 visitors in the 2017 financial year, and with the rise in the local tourist industry numbers are expected to increase.
The committee are planning to expand the exhibition space by 240 square metres which will allow for more “flow through” of traffic.
“It’s important to keep the space open so people will be able to move through the rooms freely, at the moment it can get pretty cramped, especially in peak season,” Ms White said.
Other additions to the building will include expanding the archival space and a lift. The re-development of the disabled parking is currently underway.
EKWM committee president Jack Dickenson would like to see the restorations completed in time for the museum’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2020.
“That would call for a gala opening,” Mr Dickenson said.
The EKWM will have a marquee at the Eden Whale Festival on November 2-4 where the public are invited to view the plans and contribute ideas to the future of the museum.