The Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society is celebrating the long-awaited opening of The Mackellar Centre in the former Visitor Information Centre building.
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Around 80 guests, including Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and his wife Robyn, attended the opening.
The opening signalled the completion of stage one of the Poet’s Precinct project, which was funded by BHP Biliton.
The upgraded building has an office space for Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards project officer Mila Stone, and the Bill Clegg Wing which houses the Jean Isherwood watercolour collection “My Country”.
President of the society committee, Philippa Murray, said the committee had been working on the plans for 18 months.
“The Mackellar centre will provide a cultural and educational facility and tourist destination in the town,” she said.
There are plans for a conference room, children’s corner and interactive display areas for literacy and cultural exhibitions.
Ms Stone said the society committee was seeking funds to progress stages two and three, which would involve resourcing the centre, so it can be open to the public.
“It has its own momentum for people to want to see it,” she said.
The project officer said the committee hoped that the centre could be linked with the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum and the Maas Walk to create a cultural hope and draw more tourists to the area.
“We’re hoping to incorporate everything into it if funding allows,” she said.
“It’s multi-pronged – it’s educational, cultural and tourism.”
Mr Coulton said he and his wife, Robyn, were impressed by the hard work the committee had put in and plans to develop the entire precinct around the centre.
“The Mackellar Centre will bring together residents of the Gunnedah district who have an interest in literature, as well as being an attraction for visitors to the town,” he said.
“Due to the hard work of a group of Gunnedah residents over many years, Dorothea Mackellar's name has become linked to Gunnedah.”