Bundawarrah Centre

A time machine of memories and mechanical miles ‘The way we were’, the little things we thought we’d forgotten, happily called to mind - that’s the magic of a visit to the Temora Rural Museum. Set as they are, in beautifully landscaped grounds, the diverse displays and exhibitions of the museum indulge the imagination of the visitor. A kaleidoscope of the quaint and the curious, by any measure, Temora can claim one of Australia’s most outstanding rural museums.

Extensive and varied

The Rural Museum’s agricultural collection brings together one of the finest assemblies of restored and working tractors, stationary engines and agricultural machinery that is to be found. The fact that this standard is matched by the museum’s collections of rocks and minerals, textiles and its dedicated ambulance museum assures the visitor of a most memorable experience. For nearly half a century the museum has steadily grown, adding the hardwood slab house that was Sir Donald Bradman’s first home, a worker’s cottage restored to reflect life in the 1920s, a one-room public school, bush church, public hall, printing works and a flour mill. Temora’s gold mining origin is recalled by the Pirate King mine’s five-head ore crusher, which is maintained in working order. The rich finds among our goldfield’s totalled four tonnes. These are represented by a replica of the huge “Mother Shipton Nugget”. The memorabilia of the famous boxing promoter, Jimmy Sharman, and a tribute to Australian pacing champion the ‘Temora Tornado’, Paleface Adios, are prominent among our local exhibits.

Ambulance Collection

Pre-eminent among dedicated ambulance museums in eastern Australia, the Temora Ambulance Museum showcases over 120 years of Australian ambulance heritage. With the support of the Ambulance Services of NSW and the ACT, the Paramedics Union and the wider fraternity of serving and retired officers, Temora presents an unmatched exhibition of vehicles and equipment spanning the decades.

Rock & Mineral Collection

One man’s life work - his love and his legacy - that’s what Athol Stean’s Temora Rock & Mineral Museum represents for his community - a gift to share with the nation. Thousands of meticulously labelled specimens gathered from across the globe inviting you to experience the fascination he discovered in geology.

Fire Brigade Collection

A tribute to a century of service to the Temora community, the fire brigade exhibition features a working 1923 Garford fire engine similar to one used locally. The development of fire-fighting technology can be traced through improvements evident in the protective clothing and equipment in the well presented displays.

Temora Local & Family History Research Centre

Co-located with the Rural Museum, the Local & Family History Research Centre assists local residents and visitors with a vast range of family and local heritage enquiries. The Centre is always adding to its impressive body of research, resources and also taps into the collection maintained by the museum’s unique Temora Community Archive - a treasure trove of original documents and photographs stored in a purpose-built underground vault.

Willo’s Wiradjuri Keeping Place

A thoughtfully composed tribute to the first people of the Temora district, Willo’s Wiradjuri Keeping Place introduces the visitor to a respectful appreciation of the pre-European society to whom the care of the district was entrusted for many thousands of years.

Valentine Lawler Gallery

As a temporary exhibition space, this gallery at the entrance to the Rural Museum hosts an ever changing program of art and craft exhibitions, social events and displays drawn from the Rural Museum’s many and varied collections.

Annual Exhibition

A date to circle on your calendar. Each year, on the second Saturday in March, the Rural Museum presents its Annual Live Exhibition. The working exhibits of the museum spring to life in a packed program of demonstrations and parades while numerous visiting artisans demonstrate their skill and creativity.

www.temoraruralmuseum.com • 29 Junee Rd • 02 6980 1223 9.30am - 5pm 7 days • Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day