Numerous factors will need to be considered and whether an already existing building just looks the part may well be of very minor or  no consideration.

I was heartened earlier this year in May when the mayor, Councillor Margaret O'Rourke was quoted in the press as being supportive of the idea of a museum with her adding also that it would need careful planning.

Furthermore, it seemed eminently sensible when she went on to state that deciding both the right location and business model as being critical to the success for such an endeavour.

I believe that a letter from Jenny Trewartha (Museum needed for Bendigo’s history, Bendigo Advertiser, April 28, 2018) from the Northern District School of Nursing Graduates Association has already made some very pertinent points in public for us to consider.

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What was put forward in that letter was that a proper cost/benefit design analysis based on a detailed functional brief should be undertaken by an appropriate consultancy team  –  this being the level of informed enquiry required for an important project of this nature.

It would permit proper examination, consultation, decision making and then, as applicable, approaches for funding.

Bendigo does have its own unique and great history to showcase but we should be aware that other local government jurisdictions have been through this feasibility process and as a result have set up modern and stimulating regional museums in recent times.

There is value for anyone interested in this to look at the websites of the Newcastle, Orange, Albury and Yarra Ranges museums to show the dynamic nature of such individual ventures and, as well, showing the exciting variety  of new or adaptive architectural solutions used in these various places.

Politics are like gigantic scales free to move from one side to another.

If one of the political wings manages to swing them and form government it is likely to lose some of its popularity as the time goes by.

This is helping to keep the scales balanced and not become permanently tipped to one side.

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