Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum

Tatura Museum houses a unique collection based on 3 main themes which are: the History of Irrigation in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, the Local and Family History of Tatura and District since white settlement and the history of the seven Second World War Prisoner of War and Internment Camps and the Garrison and Hospital which were established in this area. The collection only includes items which have a connection to Tatura. Whether it is related to local, family, irrigation or war time camps history, every article on display has a direct connection with Tatura and is not just part of a general historical display. The collection and our reference library are a valuable source of research material for academics, school children, relatives and former residents.

The original four roomed building, c.1888, was the office building from which the irrigation scheme for the Western Goulburn Valley was developed. This became a private home and a doctor’s surgery for many years and was later occupied by the Reilly family who owned the Tatura Flour Mills. The building fell in to disrepair and was purchased by the Rodney Shire Council for the historical society and restored as a museum in 1988. This building now houses local history and the history of irrigation. Two brick extensions, totalling 200 sq. metres have since been added to house the Wartime Camps Collection, included is a foyer, shop, lecture room and art gallery complete with DVD viewing facilities.

Tatura is 167kms north of Melbourne and 21kms west of Shepparton.

The museum is run by the members of the Tatura and District Historical Society Inc.The Historical Society owns the collection housed in the museum and the volunteers are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the museum, the cataloguing and conservation of the collection and opening the museum to the public each day.

The museum's collection includes photographs, art and craft work, records, recollections and other archival material recovered from the former Prisoners of War and Internees in the Tatura Area during the Second World War, many of whom remained in Australia after their release. These include the collection of 54 works of Leonhard Adam completed over a 50 year period and donated by his daughter Mary-Clare Murvitz of Israel and a collection of war time sketches by Georg Rosenkranz. We have many artefacts and documents relating to the HSK Kormoran and HMAS Sydney as the Kormoran survivors were prisoners of war in Tatura. Books, records, maps, photographs and information on the history of Irrigation in Victoria's Goulburn Valley. Books, photographs, memorabilia, maps and recollections regarding the Local History of Tatura and District including major industries and local families.