The iconic Casino Drill Hall has been transformed into the Northern Rivers Military Museum.
The museum will tell the history of the region’s military history by sharing the victories, tragedies, and sacrifices of those who served their country.
The heritage-listed hall was saved from auction after a public outcry in 2014 when it was revealed the Department of Defence wanted to sell it.
Richmond Valley Council stepped in and purchased the hall, and has been working with members of the Casino, Lismore and Kyogle RSL sub branches and the 41st Battalion Association to transform it into a museum.
A small committee has been collecting, preserving and interpreting a collection of historical items to be displayed at the new museum.
Casino RSL Sub Branch secretary and committee president Owen Newell said the museum would be the home to a remarkable collection of stories representing generations of local service people – people who trained here, served their country and, in too many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice.
‘The Military Museum will acknowledge the families of the veterans, and will embrace our community’s enrichment from the cultural and educational diversity people brought to the region during their service and, in many cases, brought back when they returned,’ Mr Newell said.
Speaking at the opening on Tuesday, Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow said recalling war was a precondition for understanding it, including its awful consequences, which was why it was important to put time and effort into establishing a significant collection of local involvement in all wars and conflicts for new generations.
Cr Mustow congratulated the committee on its hard work to give the community a wonderful asset and a memorial to those who served our great country, acknowledging it would be a welcome addition to the tourist appeal of our area.
He said an aspirational goal was to link with the Heritage Aviation Museum and Bellman Hangar at Evans Head, and the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum to encourage tourists to visit all three museums while staying in the region.
‘The acquisition of the Drill Hall site provided council with the opportunity to create an iconic new leisure and tourism space which will define the entry to Casino from the south,’ Cr Mustow said.
‘It is going to be an exciting space to watch as an amphitheatre and other resources get developed to encourage community use.’
At this stage, the Military Museum will be open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and 3pm, or at other times by appointment.