The Project Objectives History Committee

The Project

"The Garage" Transport Museum is an extension of The Maitland Auto Preservation Society.

The project consists of converting the old council shed on Gardniner Tce into the inside of a U shaped street set up with buildings on four sides including an office, work-shop, meeting room, library and storage area as well as shop fronts which will act as show cases. The street will be lit by street lighting with old petrol pumps, seats and signage on the footpaths, verandas and shop fronts. A large set of scales will weigh family groups. A tank will represent a school bus shed and have an internal photo display. There will be all kinds of street furniture and items from days gone by and it's hoped to build an organ using car horns as well as have a mock vehicle for children to drive. Outside, the park will be lawned and trees planted for a future picnic and display area.The weigh- bridge will be painted and operational for display. It is hoped that the project will be used for all kind of events including reunions, weddings, exhibitions, music evenings, trade exhibitions and promotions as well as automotive functions.

Objectives

The Garage as been established to achieve the following objectives:

• to establish and maintain an automotive museum with associated information and items
• to foster an interest in automotive history
• to encourage restoration of motor vehicles and transport of all ages and types
• to preserve the history of motoring on the Yorke Peninsula

History

"The Garage" was set up for the preservation of motor vehicles and history, past and present in the Yorke Peninsula Area. "MAPS", the car club, set up "The Garage", as an independent body under its own constitution to be managed by a steering committee until fully established.

The building at Gardiner Tce was provided by the District Council of Central York Peninsula, based on a proposal put to council in 1991 by MAPS. Occupation of the building occurred in mid 1992 and work started prior to Christmas that year.

Original concepts

The concept of the museum was based on a number of important factors: It was to:

• be available to all members of the community for functions other than just a car club museum:
• appeal to all ages and both genders:
• be a hands on museum:
• represent the transport history of the York Peninsula and especially Maitland (being one of the earliest townships in the state to see the automobile in common use)
• be built of materials representing the period up to 1960:

It was also proposed to be extended and include a garden area, car park, weigh-bridge and old fire shed.

"The Garage", was also to involve itself in tourism and promotion of the National Trust Museums at Ardrossan, Maitland and Port Victoria.

Budget and timelines

The project had a budget of $20.000 which has been raised as it advances.

So far the project is still in budget thanks to the support of community groups such as Apex, Lions, and Rotary. Funding was also gained when the building was leased to TAFE for a period for courses in engine maintenance and welding. Other monies come from catering at the MAPS swap-meets and sale of shop fronts in the building to traders for future advertising.

Strong support has also been given by local traders who can see the merit of the project to the community in the future.

• Peter Stephens provided the electrical work:
• Neil Dutschke and Geoffrey Rawlings help in the tricky building work and materials.
• G W Allens carriers for support with the Pavers.
• W S Harris and British Paints for all the paint used to date.
• Castle Meats for their support at swap meets by supplying products at special prices
• Many more people from the community that have given time and goods when needed.

Labour has come from the members of the committee, APEX and through community service work orders with the Department of Correctional Services. Thousands of hours have gone into the project to date.

Committee