Mansfield Heritage Museum fit-out complete as progress gathers pace at Station Precinct

Mansfield's storied history is one step closer to a permanent home at the Mansfield Heritage Museum, with the museum's fit out complete and exhibits now moving into the space. 

From 2027, visitors of the museum will be able to explore Mansfield Shire's story through the varied exhibits that comprise the museum's 'Tracks Through Time' theme.  

The museum explores our region's history from the fossils that tell the tale of the pre-human evolution of animal life from the sea onto land, the Taungurung people's history and culture and the arrival and lives of early settlers to now, Mansfield as we know it.  

Even the museum's front desk carries a local story – it has been constructed from recycled timber from the old Mansfield Sale Yards – the museum is a physical manifestation of the shire's history, right down to the smallest details. 

President of the Mansfield Historical Society Graeme Stoney AM has expressed excitement over the 2027 launch of the museum. 

"The Society has been diligently working towards having a museum for Mansfield for many years. The Mansfield public have made this possible with their generous donations. I am confident that when the museum opens the community will be very proud," he said. 

Will Twycross, a member of the Station Precinct Museum Community Asset Committee, said the long-held ambition of housing the region’s most important historical assets in a dedicated museum space was now coming to fruition. 

"It is fitting that the Mansfield Heritage Museum will open exactly 50 years since the last passenger service to Melbourne on the Mansfield Line. The work that was done all those years ago to maintain the Railway Reserve as a public asset has now paid off. ‘Tracks Through Time’, will truly be our story," he said. 

Aunty Angela ten Buuren, who has worked to bring the Taungurung people's history and culture to life within the Station Precinct said that she and Aunty Bernadette Franklin are proud to share the history and contemporary culture of the First Peoples of the Mansfield Shire.   

"An iconic walert walert possum skin cloak made by the Mansfield Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network will take pride of place in the museum with the First Peoples story continuing through the broader precinct, including an immersive walk along the Mullum Wetlands comprising Taungurung artworks, sculptures and mosaics," she said. 

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the progress at the museum reflects the progress being made across the broader Station Precinct. 

“The project is going to add a lot of value to life in Mansfield Shire and create a real draw for visitors to our region. We're grateful to the many people whose time, effort and money are bringing this project to life," he said. 

"We're thankful to the curator group of the museum including our local fossil experts, those representing the Taungurung and the Mansfield Historical Society. People have put their heart and soul into the project and it's going to show in what's going to be become a real asset for our region." 

When complete, the grant-funded Station Precinct will comprise the Mansfield Heritage Museum & Visitor Information Centre, a fenced dog park, an all-abilities playground with splash-play elements, a pump track, a rejuvenated Mullum Wetlands and the Taungurung Arts Track amongst other attractions. 

The transformation of the Mansfield Station Precinct is made possible by a $14.1 million grant from the Australian Government’s Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program with further support from Bendigo Bank - Community Bank Mansfield & District and members of the community.