Grant gives a lift to Murgon Men’s Shed railway museum

September 16, 2021

Two restored carriages will be lifted into place to form a railway display at the Murgon Men’s Shed, with Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announcing a $15,000 grant for the project.

“The Murgon’s Men Shed members have done an incredible job to restore a 100-year-old first- and second-class carriage and a steel goods wagon that were rescued from a yard near Rockhampton after being decommissioned in the 1980s,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This $15,000 grant through the Stronger Communities Programme will enable the Shed to hire a crane to lift them into place to form part of the planned Rail Museum at the start of the South Burnett Rail Trail, and to begin landscaping around the area.”

Once in place, the Rail Display Complex will be built around the carriages and will eventually house a steam engine, goods wagon and other restored railway items.

“The planned Rail Display Complex is a fantastic initiative that will provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of our Queensland railways and boost tourism through the South Burnett, and the Murgon Men’s Shed committee and members are doing a remarkable job to bring it to fruition, so I am pleased to support their work with this federal funding towards the $60,000 project,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Stronger Communities Programme Round 6 provided up to $150,000 for each of the 151 federal electorates in Australia, with grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 available for eligible organisations including incorporated not-for-profit community service and sporting groups and councils.

“There is always strong interest in the Stronger Communities Programme grants, and competition is keen, so I encourage organisations interested in bringing forward SCP project proposals in future rounds to contact my electorate office on telephone 4121 2936, or the Sunshine Coast, or Wide Bay Burnett Regional Development Australia Committees through the website www.rda.gov.au,” Mr O’Brien said.

Previous rounds of the SCP delivered funding to a range of organisations in Wide Bay, assisting with:

  • An aerator for the fish ponds at Murgon, through the Rotary Club of Murgon
  • First aid equipment and tools for Murgon Men’s Shed
  • A community garden for Graham House Community Centre
  • Electrical works for the Queensland Dairy and Heritage Museum
  • Upgraded kitchen and hot water supply for Goomeri Show Society
  • New audiovisual technology for Gympie Chamber of Commerce
  • Improved car parking and accessibility for South Burnett First Aid Volunteers at the Murgon Training Centre
  • Upgraded arena flooring for Maryborough Riding for the Disabled
  • A new hay shed for Gympie’s Hope Reins
  • Displays at Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Complex
  • A new 10-pallet truck for Maryborough’s Foodbasket.
  • Security cameras for Tin Can Bay Fishing Club.
  • Solar panels for Tin Can Bay RSL & Citizens’ Memorial Hall; and more.

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

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