Museum undertakes vital restumping project to safeguard heritage
« Back- The Inglewood Historical Centre and Australian Tobacco Museum is being restumped following flood damage in 2021.
- 66 of the wooden stumps have been removed and are being replaced with adjustable galvanised steel stumps.
- This project will improve the integrity of the building and reduce the risk of white ant infestation.
Goondiwindi Regional Council has received a grant of $43,800 from the Queensland Emergency Response Fund 2021-2022 event-recovery scheme to restump the foundation of the Inglewood Heritage Centre and Australian Tobacco Museum.
The grant has funded the removal of 66 of the weaker timber stumps under the main building after it sustained damage in the 2021 flood event.
The deteriorated stumps are being replaced with galvanised hollow section steel stumps to protect and maintain the structural integrity of the building.
President of the Inglewood Heritage Centre and Australian Tobacco Museum, Dali Doljanin, said replacing the stumps with more durable steel ones will minimise damage to the building if another flood were to occur in the future.
“The Museum holds a special significance in the hearts of many of the regions residents and their families, and attracts nearly 1000 visitors a year to Inglewood,” Dali said.
The new stumps are adjustable and will improve the building's stability which is important as the soil becomes very waterlogged in floodwaters.
Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council, the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM, said that the steel stumps will also reduce the attraction of white ant infestation and improve the overall safety of the aging building.
“The Inglewood Heritage Centre and Australian Tobacco Museum plays an important role in preserving our region’s culture and history, including its tobacco growing days through the implementation of virtual storytelling, through audio and text displays,” Cr Springborg said.
The project commenced in mid-March and is expected to be completed in April.
In April 2023, the Inglewood Heritage Centre and Australian Tobacco Museum underwent modernisation with the addition of a new self-service at the entry point. This new entry system allows visitors access to the Museum from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week.
The Inglewood Heritage Centre and Australian Tobacco Museum is manned in-person by a volunteer on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am-2 pm.
Fee: $5
Children: Free