THE Fremantle-based WA Army Museum Foundation plans to raise a total of $2.5 million to develop four new, modern galleries within the historic museum.
THE Fremantle-based WA Army Museum Foundation plans to raise a total of $2.5 million to develop four new, modern galleries within the historic museum.
The galleries at the Army Museum of Western Australia will depict the role the army has played in the state, highlighting and commemorating events from the first settlement right through to the present era.
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day last week launched the appeal with a $581,000 Lotterywest grant, the first of three stipulated grant instalments over three years.
Lotterywest will provide an extra $1 million over the next two years towards the refurbishment and upgrade of the museum subject to the foundation matching the funds through a national fundraising campaign.
Gallery appeal coordinator and former foundation chairman Tom Goode said the level of commitment from Lotterywest highlights the significance of the project to the state.
Mr Goode told WA Business News the foundation would raise the money from four avenues to reach the targeted $1 million.
The first is a campaign directed at ex-servicemen, encouraging them to donate $5 each, “the equivalent of a coffee or a stubbie of beer”.
“Then we want to tap into Fremantle businesses because with the people visiting these galleries when they are up and running, there will be a flow-on effect to the rest of the Fremantle business community,” Mr Goode said.
Businesses will also have an opportunity to purchase naming rights to three of the four galleries, with Lotterywest already taking naming rights on one gallery.
Mr Goode said the foundation would also host several events including a concert to raise additional funds.
WA Army Museum Foundation chairman Graham Horne urged people to become a supporter in the three-tiered donation strategy.
“Our first priority will be to fit-out the post-1945 gallery to include the army’s involvement with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan from 1945 to 1955 through to the Korean War, Vietnam, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan,” Mr Horne said.
“I am certain there are thousands of former servicemen who will support this campaign because it forever will preserve the spirit, the sacrifice and the story of people who forged the freedoms that today’s Australians enjoy.”
When finished, the galleries are expected to attract thousands more people to the museum.
West Perth-based advertising agency and design studio, BKAYDesign, has won the tender to design and build the first stage of the new museum, which is expected to be completed by March 2010.
BKAYDesign managing director Kim Kay said the company’s brief from the museum was to engage visitors in a way that has not been possible before.
“To tell present and future generations of the sacrifices and challenges of war with particular focus on the personal stories faced by the men and women who put their lives on the line in the service of their country,” he explained.
BKAYDesign’s core business is designing and building trade exhibitions, particularly for the oil and gas sector, often designing and building exhibitions for global giants such as Chevron.
Mr Horne said apart from raising public awareness and understanding of the role and contribution of the Australian Army since the end of World War II, it was hoped the new galleries would encourage recruitment.
The appeal is being supported by state president of the RSL, Bill Gaynor.
