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News

The Blue Eucy Miniature Train track is taking shape!

March 2017

Dam works underway.Dam works underway.

Works have commenced on the first stage of the miniature train track at the Eucy Museum Distillery Park.  Fencing, dam modifications, clearing the track and removal of some of the blue mallee trees has started.   Power for signalling and water trenches have also been dug.  Pipes and crossover work has seen the train group volunteers spending many hours on site.  Steel has been ordered and works to finalise the negines and tracks being undertaken off site.  Major funding for the works has come from the Inglewood Community Bank and also Loddon Shire.  This is a great project and will enhance the museum precinct as a premier tourist site in Inglewood and the Shire.    The target is to have the stage 1 track area operational during the springtime this year.

 

 "Extended Hours for Eucy Museum from  May 12, 2016"

 Inglewood owns an asset unlike any other in the world and the story of that asset is about to be told with renewed vigour.       Thanks to a move by natural pharmaceuticals producer Bosisto’s Eucalyptus, in conjunction with Loddon Shire Council, the town’s unique links with the eucalyptus oil industry will soon be promoted far more energetically.

Opening hours at Inglewood’s Blue Eucy Museum will be dramatically expanded and efforts made to engage the local community more deeply in raising the town’s tourism profile.     Bosisto’s has announced a new funding injection to enable the museum to hire a co-ordinator and open its doors five days a week, in place of the current six hours.  Hours are  10 - 4 pm,  Thursday to Monday

Executive director Tegan Abbott said the site had long been the home of the old distillery.   “In 2003, the land came up for sale and our company bought it as a business, also recognising it could be an important cultural site,” Ms Abbott said.     “We could see Inglewood – and Wedderburn, too, to a degree – had a sense of ownership over eucalyptus oil, so we made an agreement to donate the land to Council to help create an opportunity for people to learn more about the industry.    

“The story of eucalyptus oil really is unique to this area.   “The Blue Mallee (Eucalyptus Polybractea) is native to the Inglewood-Wedderburn region and it simply does not grow well anywhere else, apart from around West Wyalong in southern New South Wales.   “These trees yield the best medicinal oil that can be produced in the world.

“Since then, Bosisto’s and Council have had an ongoing relationship, particularly considering the passion both sides have for the industry, its machinery and the entwined stories of local people.”

 

The museum tells the stories of the eucalyptus oil industry through historic artefacts, videos, static displays and a working model distillery.   A retail area offers a café, books, souvenirs and natural products for sale.   Committee secretary Murray Baud said the site also hosted a plantation of blue mallee and selection of native wildflowers.

“In the grounds, we have an old roller, hay rake and tractor that were once in use and we’re looking to build up our stock of historic machinery,” Mr Baud said.     “Other plans include the idea of a miniature railway and extending one side of the building to house the Cliff and Bunting traction engine currently undergoing conservation works by Museums Victoria.   “Our visitor numbers continue to be steady – over five years, we’ve had almost 3,000 people come through.”

 

Loddon Shire tourism marketing officer Robyn Vella said the museum was expected to open Thursday to Sunday, with herself on-site every Monday on behalf of Council.    “The volunteers have been doing a great job, but we’re now embarking on a six-month trial aimed at giving visitors an enhanced experience, attracting more volunteers and connecting the museum more into the community,” Mrs Vella said.     “To be successful a strong partnership needs to be formed between, the museum, the community, local businesses, Loddon Tourism and Felton Grimwade and Bosisto’s.     

“Inglewood offers some rich visitor experiences, with its collectables stores, beautiful heritage buildings, and ‘blue plaque’ trail walk, Melville Caves, proximity to the Loddon River and the complete story of the eucalyptus industry.   

“Then there’s the museum, where people can see, touch and smell that industry in a way nowhere else can match.”

Bosisto’s story stretches back to 1848, when 21-year-old Yorkshire pharmacist Joseph Bosisto arrived in Adelaide.

Joseph moved to Victoria in search of gold, but instead opened a pharmacy in Richmond.

Four years later, he opened Australia’s first commercial distillery, at Dandenong Creek, followed by three more close by.     By 1891, Bosisto’s Oil of Eucalyptus was a world-wide success, winning prizes in 17 international exhibitions, but, by 1950, overseas competition had sparked a decline.   Current owners the Abbott family bought the company in 1974 and new products began to appear.     Now based in Oakleigh South and employing 70 staff, the company’s current range includes eucalyptus, lavender and tea-tree products, cold and flu, commercial, cleaning, laundry, therapeutic, nutritional supplements and blood pressure monitors.

 The Blue Eucy museum is situated on the Calder Highway but the entry is at 20 Grant St North, Inglewood.

 

 

"The Church" Op shop - Open for business

Helping Hands Missions and the Lions Club of Inglewood are delighted to announce the opening of the "The Church" Opportunity Shop on Monday 21st March 2016. At a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Church in Main St, Bridgewater on Sunday 20th, Melanie Kent of Helping Hands together with Robert Condliffe (President) and Terry Mangles (Treasurer) of Inglewood Lions welcomed all to the opening, before a crowd of 100 community visitors and guests. After a tour of the Op Shop, afternoon tea (provided by the Bridgewater primary Parents and Friends ) and speeches made to thank the organising teams and volunteers who have done a wonderful job to clean up the church and get it ready for business. Visitors were eager to purchase and the future looks good. The shop will be open 7 days a week, from 10-4pm. A fantastic project and collaborative effort, the profits of which will benefit Lions projects in the local community. 

 

 

 Read more about Inglewood Lions activities. more  

 

 

Check out the latest news in "The Korong",  a local monthly paper, with circulation around the district.

Korong Newsletter

  • 08 Jun 2015 Station Redevelopment Completed
  • 15 Apr 2015 Historical Society launches two new books - ANZAC Day
  • 26 Mar 2015 Inglewood Golden Heritage Festival
  • 05 Apr 2014 Station Redevelopment
  • 19 Dec 2013 New Playground for Sloan Park
  • 24 Oct 2013 Loddon Shire 2013-14 Digital Strategy 101
  • 03 Oct 2013 Improve your business: Small business workshop
  • 23 Aug 2013 Minister and Community Bank announce $600,000 in grants
  • 31 Jul 2013 2013 Loddon Community Planning Grants announced
  • 31 Jul 2013 Locals successful with FaHCSIA Volunteer Grants
  • 31 Jul 2013 Community grant program launched in Inglewood
  • 05 Jul 2013 Happy 2nd Birthday Eucy Museum
  • 31 May 2013 Locals excel in Business Awards!!
  • 29 May 2013 Grants funding Community Hub Town Hall project
  • 15 May 2013 FRUIT TREE DRIVE ON AGAIN!!
  • 09 May 2013 6th Rural Carers & Families Conference
  • 26 Apr 2013 Minister Peter Walsh with some great news
  • 08 Feb 2013 Council Elections 2012
  • 13 Dec 2012 Carols in all the towns.
  • 03 Dec 2012 New Museum Development Fund launched
  • 29 Nov 2012 It's On!! Fusspots - Bigger and Better!!
  • 15 Nov 2012 Theft from Eucy Distillery: Not Happy Jan!
  • 23 Oct 2012 Town Hall Hub Community Fund
  • 17 Sep 2012 Community Hub Plans on show
  • 08 Sep 2012 Inglewood Town Hall - A Neighbourhood Safe Place
  • 15 Jun 2012 Public Meeting outcomes for Station Development
  • 21 May 2012 Fruit Tree Drive
  • 19 May 2012 Many changes to retail shopping in Inglewood
  • 13 Mar 2012 Ideas needed for the Historic Railway precinct
  • 13 Mar 2012 Community Bank donates funds towards Sports Centre repairs
  • 23 Feb 2012 Flood inundation pics display in the main street
  • 23 Feb 2012 Resource Centre releases Term 1 Course schedule
  • 13 Feb 2012 Proposed Road Name change - Potters lane
  • 02 Feb 2012 Planned restoration of Fincham Organ in St Augustine's
  • 16 Dec 2011 Variations to Water Saving Plan times
  • 01 Dec 2011 Inglewood Bank delivers $46,376 in Community Grants
  • 12 Jul 2011 Launch of Inglewood's Self Drive CD
  • 22 Jun 2011 OPENING CEREMONY of Eucy Distillery Museum
  • 13 Jun 2011Local winners in Loddon Shire PowerCor Excellence Awards

Come and explore Inglewood in the Loddon Mallee.  Just 50km NW or Bendigo.   www.inglewood.vic.au