SHEPPARTON MOTOR MUSEUM

IF THE GOULBURN VALLEY’S IMPORTANT FRUIT GROWING AND DAIRY FARMING ACTIVITIES DON’T PRESS YOUR BUTTONS, PERHAPS THIS MOTOR MUSEUM MIGHT DO THE BUSINESS FOR YOU.

While Shepparton on Victoria’s Goulburn River is a fair step away from the traditional manufacturing bases of the Australian car industry in our larger capital cities, the region has long been home to car enthusiasts involved in everything from car restoration to race-car building to active involvement in motorsport. No surprise then that through this long term affection for the motor car, Shepparton locals were instrumental in creating one of the country’s most appealing car museums – the Shepparton Motor Museum and Collectibles.

Explaining the museum’s history, curator Graeme Balfour said; “The museum was effectively set up by December 2011, before being officially opened in February 2012 by two of the area’s famous sons who are well known to motorsport fans, Bryan Thompson and Peter Fowler.

“We’ve had to match the museum’s growing popularity by increasing its size. The most recent addition to our display area, completed last December, took it to 3000 square metres under roof, effectively doubling the museum’s size. We currently have around 75 cars on display with room for a maximum of 100. The exhibits range across vehicle categories with a focus on heritage cars and muscle cars.

“We like to keep rotating the cars on display to provide something fresh for repeat visitors. Part of our plan is to run themed shows, each to last for around three months. In the coming months look for the announcement about our ‘Movie Cars’ theme – I don’t want to give too much away at this stage, but I’m prepared to reveal that it will include James Bond Aston Martins, the actual cars used in the movies.”

As the museum’s full name implies its exhibits aren’t confined to four wheelers. Two-wheels are well represented by a good motorcycle display as well currently as a selection of 40 historic bicycles from the extensive Farren Collection.

The vehicle displays are complemented by an extensive memorabilia collection including petrol bowsers and other garage memorabilia.

Curator Graeme is no Johnny-come-lately to rev-head world. Having a dad running a garage got the young Graeme off to an early start. A Model A Ford he worked on with his grandfather as a kid is these days part of his own collection that includes a GT Falcon and veteran motor bikes.

Check the museum’s web site for more information.