New exhibitions at WA Museum - Albany showcase region's past and present

The Western Australian Museum - Albany will present a fresh and vibrant welcome to visitors following the first major upgrade of its exhibitions in more than 25 years.

At the official opening today, Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the new exhibitions were the result of two years of detailed planning, including community consultation.

"Given the Great Southern region's status as a tourist attraction and as an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot, a contemporary appraisal of its environment, heritage and future is timely," Mr Day said.

"The result ensures the museum remains a key attraction for visitors to the region as the exhibitions showcase its diverse communities as well as providing snapshots of many of the rich experiences on offer.

"State Government funding of $250,000 allowed the WA Museum to extensively renew and refurbish its exhibition galleries to modern, national museum standards.

"The Albany Port Authority has provided a $40,000 grant to fund a new, interactive table-top display that tells the past and present history of the port and reflects its key role in the region's history and development."

The Minister said in addition to the upgraded exhibitions the museum was also one of the hubs for the new community-wide Kinjarling Trail.

"The Minang Aboriginal community have been involved since the start of the project and the exhibitions reflect their stories from pre-history to the present day, and highlight Aboriginal people's contribution to the region's development through farming, fishing, whaling and community life," he said.

One of the major beneficiaries will be students from local, regional and visiting camp schools visiting the museum.

"The exhibitions will be underpinned by rich and varied education and public programs allowing visitors to learn about the shared histories of the community as well as gaining a vivid insight into the region's natural history and the responsibilities that come from living in a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot," Mr Day said.

"Local organisations and the tourism sector are already expressing interest in accessing and visiting the exhibitions, including the newly formed Young Naturalists Club that will be launched in August as well as the 2010-11 cruise ship market."

The exhibition galleries open to the public tomorrow.