Ned Kelly Discovery Hub
Published on 18 August 2023
Rural City of Wangaratta is delighted to announce the completion and official ministerial opening of the Glenrowan Heritage Project, now named the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub.
The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub is a world-class tourism experience that will launch visitors into the culture, history, and natural beauty of our region.
Rural City of Wangaratta Chief Executive Officer Brendan McGrath said the bold vision for the project has been achieved.
“The project vision was to create an immersive and contemporary tourism experience containing dynamic interpretive experiences and using technology to bring the region's infamous Australian bushranger history and its characters to life. It was designed to tell Glenrowan's history and the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub does this.”
“A bold contemporary building was designed. A building distinctive in appearance and positioning, with a viewing platform of not only the siege site, but the incredible natural history of the area. A building to present visitor experience, service and amenities.”
Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Councillor Dean Rees said the development is a contemporary future focused experience that acknowledges, respects and pays tribute to our complex, intriguing past.
“We were ambitious in our vision to create a world-class visitor attraction and the result is in front of us. We want people to discover, immerse and reflect, be entertained, and inspired. Here, people can wander through the siege site itself; stand where events occurred, connect and view this national story from a new perspective.”
“This building, and carefully delivered interpretation, helps visitors understand how this story contributes to the broader Australian narrative, and helps us reflect on how our own stories, histories and cultures have been shaped and informed by myth and legend.”
“And inside the building, the siege story unfolds, offering differing perspectives of one of the country's most divisive historical stories in post-colonial times.”
“The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub provides the opportunity to go beyond the traditional, and the expected, it can transport you back to some of Glenrowan’s most dramatic moments.”
“This place provides an authentic experience; it highlights our history, in times of both light and the shade, it fuels our imagination and gives us an experience to explore, it is a launching pad for experiences throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta.”
Rural City of Wangaratta is very pleased to have the State Member for Northern Victoria and Victorian Attorney-General the Hon. Jaclyn Symes officially open the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub today on behalf of Minister for Regional Development the Hon. Harriet Shing.
The Glenrowan Heritage Project was funded through the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions - Crisis Committee of Cabinet - Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The Glenrowan Heritage Project commenced in mid-2022, and the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub will officially open to the public on Saturday 16 September 2023.