News: Library exhibits a chance to display Borella collection
Council has put in an expression of interest to house a permanent exhibition to commemorate Territory war hero Albert Borella.
Posted: Monday, 4 January 2016
President Barb Shaw said Barkly Regional Council (BRC) is prepared to make available a permanent air-conditioned
space dedicated to the exhibition and display of Borella memorabilia as part of
its library infrastructure.
"The Borella Collection will add a dimension to the cultural
offering of the library and increase its significance from a tourism visitation
perspective," she said.
Tennant Creek is a gateway to the wider Barkly region for
visitors. It is also the starting point for Borella as he commenced his epic journey
to Darwin to enlist in the First World War 100 years ago.
Earlier in the year there was a great buzz in town as
locals, many dressed in period clothing, waved off Richard Borella and a
support team to retrace the footsteps of his grandfather – a Victoria Cross
recipient.
TV Presenter Ray Martin hosted the event on 20 February with
distinguished guests including the Chief Minister Adam Giles, Member for
Lingiari Warren Snowdon and Territory Senators Nigel Scullion and Nova Peris
attending.
Council was given a plaque by the Chief Minister to
commemorate the Borella journey. This is
for the community and along with the Borella collection the library would be a wonderful
home.
President Shaw said there is an important educational component to the
exhibition, weaving it into existing library programming and utilising
technology with the development of an app and interpretation kit. This would be
used to support curriculum development and contribute to understanding and
appreciation of historical events, the Borella story and days of a bygone era.
"The library’s existing historical collection would also be
made more visible alongside the museum collection, providing the potential to
increase library patronage - both intentional and accidental visitors," she said.
Part of Council’s plan is to work with the local community,
including stakeholders such as Battery Hill/Visitor Information Centre, the
Returned Services League (RSL), Nyinkka Nyunyu and Barkly Regional Arts, to
cross promote other tourism opportunities.
"It is an exciting proposal with many benefits for the town
and the broader Barkly region as well as building and sharing a significant
piece of Australian military history," said President Shaw.
At this stage the Borella Steering Committee has chosen the
Tennant Creek library as the preferred site, subject to costing and council
approval. We’ll keep you posted.