Fremantle museum will soon be history (The West Australian)
The Fremantle History Museum will close this year, ending a near 40-year association with the port city. Jane King, from lobby group Museums Australia, attacked the decision but Arts Minister John
Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:39:45 GMT

It’s a pity now with the WA Museum cutbacks, that others have to pursue niche heritage preservation matters. A State museum needs the resources to cover all facets… including broadcasting and cinema. If Sydney can have a Powerhouse Museum… then why can’t WA? The East Perth Power Station is still sitting empty after being restored.

The more these things are delayed, the more the industry veterans will die out. Veterans who are busy trying to leave a worthy legacy for future generations.

There would be no point trying to collect steam engines, if they had all been melted down as scrap. Fortunately TVW’s Peter Croft photographed much of the old equipment before it went to the tip, so at least we’ve got a photo record. If there were not enthusiastic people busy collecting and preserving, there would be little left of this technology in this State.

TVW had a wonderful collection of artifacts, from broadcast and cinema equipment, to aircraft, a locomotive, a trolley bus, vintage cars etc. This was amassed under the watch of Sir James Cruthers and Frank Moss, only to be lost when the company changed hands in 1981. Bankruptcy under Christopher Skase, did not help. But unfortunately once a collection is lost, it’s difficult to replace the many valued relics.

The work that Sadie Purser is undertaking now, in locating program material for the 50th Anniversary Special, is a step in the right direction. It is also a wonderful opportunity for viewers to catch up with their old favourites, before too many fade away.