Hot off the press. Pucka Tank museum has closed!

[Dianaa]

Lets hope the Tank Museum plans don't suffer the same as the Engineers Museum. So many things changed from the initial plans to what was eventually delivered.

Don't get me wrong, the new building is a great improvement, but the floorspace available for the Large Technology Items (LTI) seems to be about half what was originally envisioned. There is insufficient space to be able to walk around each item with many items only visable behind other LTI and a barrier rope preventing access to the rear. We have had to auction off many items that didn't have engineer provenance in-service and even the M113A1-FSV (134-702) is to be redeployed to Pucka with other FSV.

The outdoor LTI such as the Steele and Bailey bridges are being moved but will be within the Engineer's School and not the Museum.

The original plan for the Museum to cross the boundary to allow access to the public whatever the Safe Base status has gone and although the gate is spitting distance from the Museum we're still behind the wire.

[Bob McNeill]

Look what happened to the North Fort facilities, boxed up sent south. Left all the volunteers stranded and the tunnels to fill up with water, only the Memorial walk left.

[Dianaa]

Some of the vollies came over to the AAMME and AFAIK at least one went to the Infantry Museum at Singleton.

Alan L is still involved with the "Defence of Sydney Museum" on the North Fort site, but it is now managed by the Sydney Harbour Trust, so not a lot of money or support for the old facilities.

[Ed Storey]

I have not had the pleasure of visiting Australia but I would think that moving a museum to a new location outside of a military establishment would be considered a good thing as the move would allow greater public access and an opportunity to get the larger artifacts indoors.

[Dianaa]

In our case they really only need to move the fence a little and we're outside the perimeter. Unfortunately people with higher pay grades (than volunteers ) made the decision.