A recent engineers’ report showed the structural integrity of the building was compromised to the point where public safety was at risk.
Moira Shire mayor, Cheryl Cook said the council was left with no alternative but to close the site immediately.
“We understand this news is difficult, and we appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation,” Cr Cook said.
“The Mulwala Pioneer Museum holds a vital place in our community’s history, and we understand the significance of this closure.
“Our primary concern is the safety of everyone who enters the museum so we cannot, in good conscience, allow public access to a building that poses a potential hazard.”
Historical Society President Kaye Reeves said it was a “bitter pill to swallow” but understood Federation Council was left with no choice but to close the building.
“It’s devastating news, but we will try to positively move forward and work with Council to find a new home for the museum,” Ms Reeves said.
With a $265,000 State Government grant in 2023, significant repairs to the building were expected to be undertaken.
However, an investigation into historical records and engineering reports proved it to be impossible due to the original construction methods and scale of the damage.
With immediate public access closed, the Council is exploring the possibility of limited, conditional access for volunteer staff to retrieve and secure items.
“We recognize the hard work and passion of the Yarrawonga & Mulwala Historical Society,” Cr Cook said.
“We are dedicated to finding a way to honour the museum’s legacy and ensure the preservation of our local history.”
Council met with members of the historical society on Monday to discuss the situation in detail, answer questions, and begin working together on the next steps to explore all future options.
Ms Reeves said the Mulwala Pioneer Museum held significant historical and community value, and the society would work hard to find a new home but she expected it would take at least three years.
“There is a lot of work to do, but we hope the grant money can be redistributed to assist us with building a new site, drawing up new designs and plans for example,” she said.
“We may build a new site on the block of land next to the current building or rebuild on the current site, but we will need community support.”
Structural issues extend back more than 30 years to a building assessment in 1992, which highlighted concerns about its structure.
Ms Reeves said the report was never acted on by the former Corowa Council and only discovered by the latest engineering assessment.
“If Council had known about this, we would never have been allowed to move in during 1994,” she said.
The building was previously an indoor sports centre run by the Mulwala Services Club (Club Mulwala) before the lease was transferred to Corowa Council in January 1994 for a nominal fee of $1.
At the time, the Historical Society had been looking for a home for a museum for 25 years.
Ms Reeves said they will now wait for Council to approve conditional access and will notify owners of museum pieces about their options to collect, retrieve and secure items.
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