Virtual Museums

Museum Advisory Service

Council employs a museum advisor to work with Council and the community on museum development projects. The museum adviser works with Council's Museum Development Advisory Committee, with a work program structured through Council's Museum Development Plan.

The main aims of the museum adviser program, which is co-funded between Council and the NSW Museums and Galleries Foundation, are to give advice to local government and museums on all aspects of museum work, to support the development of best practice museums and to enhance community participation.

Museums of Orange Cabonne Blayney

Visiting the museums and historic sites of the Orange, Cabonne and Blayney District provides an opportunity to experience the rural lifestyle of Australians at the time of Federation. Being able to see a 100-year-old photo, farm machinery or tools used to craft the pioneer homes gives an appreciation of rural technology as well as the spirit of personal endeavour.

Explore the region through its Regional Museums Heritage Trail. Absorb the history and heritage of Australia's colourful past.

The Regional Museum Heritage Trail is supported by the Commonwealth and is an initiative of the Federation Community Projects Program. 

Visit the Regional Museums Heritage Trail by accessing the museums website. 

Visit the Age of Fishes Museum website.

Visit the Belongings - Post WWII migration memories website.

Visit the Half a World Away website.

Watermarks, reflections on the water history and culture of Orange and district

Watermarks was an interdisciplinary and collaborative exhibition held in the Orange Regional Gallery during October 2005, exploring the centrality of water in the history, environment, economy and culture of the region. The exhibition drew on diverse collections in Central NSW from community museums, regional galleries, private owners and businesses. It featured 23 interviews with people reflecting on their work with water in many different capacities: in business, mining, domestic life, environmental programs, fishing and sport, as well as exploring the creative and spiritual dimensions of water. The exhibition was initiated and coordinated as part of Orange City Council's museum program, working in partnership with historical societies in the region, community groups, Orange Regional Gallery and Library and local businesses. A key element of the exhibition was the involvement of Orange City Council staff who work with water in different ways, including planning, engineering, water supply and sewerage, parks and gardens, tourism, Library and Gallery staff

The project team began working on this project when the region was in severe drought. This led to discussions about how museums could document the impact of drought on families, farms and the landscape. By the time the exhibition came to fruition the drought had broken and Molong experienced a devastating flood. It was a reminder, if it was needed, of the centrality of water in the life, history and experience of communities everywhere.

Visit the Watermarks website. 

The Museum of the Future

In 2004 Orange City Council established a program of museum related activities as part of its plans to develop a regional museum for Orange.  While it may be some years before a building is finalised, Council is keen to encourage debate about what kind of museum Orange needs and what sort of things the museum might exhibit.  The Museum of the Future project is just one of the activities initiated under Councils museum development plan.

Council was interested to hear from the young people of Orange what they thought the museum might be like in 50 or 100 years time, and what things from our time should be included in the museum of the future.  Entries could be in a wide range of media which included design an exhibition poster, diorama or model of a museum building or exhibition; paint and or photograph images of objects from today that should be in a museum of the future; design a museum web site or write what the museum would be like in 100 years time.

The program commenced on International Museums Day, 18 May 2004 with the submissions exhibited at the Orange City Library during October 2004.  A selection of the best entries will be added to Councils developing heritage collection.  In 2054, when the museum is well established, the entries will be a fascinating collection and reflection on the ideas and aspirations of young people for the Orange Regional Museum. 

Click here to see the Museum of the Future.

Sporting Hall of Fame

The website consists of over 40 sporting heroes and reflects the outstanding contribution they have made to sport, having gained selection in a team recognised as an Open Australian team or they represented Australia or won titles at National or International level.  Many sports are represented ranging from drag racing, shooting, swimming, fishing and rugby league that could easily be incorporated within several topics of the K-6 HSIE syllabus.

The website features a pictorial history of each sportsperson and various items of sporting memorabilia.  There is also room for those surfing the net to contribute by way of more photos or information to the site.

Contact Council's Community Liaison Adviser Alison Russell arussell@orange.nsw.gov.au for further information