Victoria Minister for Tourism Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
Building A Better Home For Our Sporting History
Victor P Taffa
Andrews Government is investing in Victoria’s proud sporting history with work set to get underway on a major redevelopment of the National Sports Museum at the MCG.
“MCG is a Victorian icon, and there’s no better place to honour our nation’s greatest sporting moments than at our greatest sporting venue.” Minister for Tourism Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said.
“By showcasing the best of Australian sport at the National Sports Museum, we’re enhancing Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s sporting capital and inspiring the next generation of athletes.”
National Sports Museum is home to Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia, including Don Bradman’s baggy green cap, Cathy Freeman’s running suit from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games cauldron.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today joined Melbourne Cricket Club President Steven Smith and former Olympian Shane Gould to announce the start of works on the redevelopment.
State Government is investing $5 Million to continue to grow the museum as a major drawcard for tourists and local sports fans.
MCG is one of the world’s great sporting venues and has been the backdrop for some of the greatest sporting moments the museum captures many of these moments.
Whether it be memorabilia from the 1956 Olympics, the 1932-33 Bodyline series or AFL Grand Finals, this transformation will put Australia’s sporting history firmly in the spotlight.
Revamp will use the latest interactive technology and feature a more diverse range of sports and athletes.
There will be a new AFL section with a more interactive Hall of Fame and new education zones for school groups.
With more than 140,000 people from Australia and overseas visiting the museum or taking an MCG Tour each year, the new renovations will provide even more reason for fans to visit the home of Australian sport.
National Sports Museum will be closed later this year for the renovation works and is scheduled to reopen in time for the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Final on 8 March 2020.
Caption:
Victoria’s world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground
Abbreviations:
MCG Melbourne Cricket Ground
AFL Australian Football League
ICC International Cricket Council