Shannons has become a major supporter of Australia’s newest motor museum, appropriately in Victoria’s ‘Motown’, Shepparton.
The Shepparton Motor Museum proudly sponsored by Shannons Insurance only opened its doors in December last year but already it has ambitions to become one of the country’s Mecca for motoring enthusiasts.
Built on a greenfield site in the Emerald Bank Leisure Land precinct at Kialla, just south of Shepparton, the Museum’s purpose-built 2000 square metre building already houses a capacity display of 50 classic, vintage and veteran cars and motorbikes and associated memorabilia, with many of the exhibits drawn from private collectors and restorers.
Similar to the Maffra Motor Museum in Gippsland, which is also supported by Shannons, the Shepparton Motor Museum plans to change its display on a regular basis to keep it fresh and relevant and attract regular visits by car clubs and regional tourists.
Its current theme is the ‘Fabulous Fifties’ and includes the 1957 FE Holden and period ‘Fifties’ caravan of its curator Daryl Meek, while Jaguars will be celebrated in a future display.
The oldest vehicle currently on display is a 1907 Cadillac Model M Tourer.
Permanent features include classic pedal cars and a vintage pushbike display.
The Museum’s General Manager, Tony Badrock, said the facility void in Shepparton, which is widely regarded as Victoria’s regional motoring enthusiasts’ capital.
“There were moves to establish a local motor museum here in the 1990s, but they never materialized,” he said. “We are at the cross-roads of Central Victoria within easy reach of Melbourne and most other major centres and car clubs have already embraced our vision warmly.
“The Museum has already been described as ‘world class’ by many visitors despite being open less than six months and with the support of a major insurer of enthusiasts’ vehicles like Shannons, it will grow to become even more exciting.
Rodney Belbin, Business Development Manager for Regional Victoria & Tasmania said the Museum had the potential to become a major attraction in Central Victoria.
“The vision of the organizers has been to create a major attraction that will become a magnet for motoring enthusiasts and what they have achieved is truly exciting,” he said.
“At Shannons our mission is to support motoring enthusiasts and our sponsorship of the Shepparton Motor Museum is a very tangible way of doing this.”
The Museum is open every day of the year from 10am-4.30pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Admission costs $10 for Adults, Children under 16 are $7 and Families cost $24.
Group visits and functions are also catered for, with the building’s mezzanine briefing room being perfect for visiting car clubs and rallies.
