Open day to encourage museum visits
The East Kimberley has undergone rapid change since European settlement, and the evolution of agriculture in the region is just one aspect of its rich history, as documented by the Kununurra Historical Society.
As part of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, the Society is inviting the public to the Kununurra Museum to view its extensive collection at an open night tomorrow. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum will be running a display showcasing how agriculture came to be in the East Kimberley.
Society volunteer Barry McKinlay said it coincided with 2012 being the “Year of the Farmer”.
“The current display is based on the history of the first five farms and then the other farms released in the Ord from 1962 (to about 1966),” he said.
“That would have been predominantly cotton.”
He said factors such as road transport and agricultural discoveries in other parts of Australia had influenced the evolution of crop growing in the region.
Safflower was once considered for the region and, although sugar cane failed in the region before, big-scale sugar production is a possibility for new farm land released this year.
“Half a dozen years ago it was melons coming out of the valley, now its going to be sandalwood oil for incense and perfumes,” he said.
“We’re still dealing with the notions of a food-bowl for South-East Asia.
“I’ve read articles from 1920 there were advocates that were for irrigating the Kimberley but were concerned by 2050 Australia’s population could be 200 million people anyway so … we would need it for ourselves.”
Mr McKinlay said many East Kimberley residents had never been to the museum.
He hopes museum open days, such as the ones tomorrow and next Friday, will encourage more locals and tourists to view the wealth of historical items collected by the society.
The Kununurra Museum will open from 10am to 9pm tomorrow and next Friday, June 1. For more information visit www.kununurra.org.au.
