Community & Business
22 October, 2025
Heritage Centre hits new milestone
MORE than 50 locals celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Mareeba Heritage Centre last week, remembering the journey of its establishment, including the fact it was built debt-free.
The night was enjoyed by many supporters of the centre, including some founding members and volunteers, as well as Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin.
The initial founding members were former mayor Mick Borzi, and other well-known Mareeba identities, Graeme Ford, Tom Braes, and Ron Blundell, who formed Mareeba Heritage Centre Inc. Colin McDowall was later invited to be the fifth member of the group.
Mr Ford, who was present on the night, explained to attendees the work it took to get the project off the ground and reminisced about the time the idea was born in 1993.
“So it was Tom Braes, Ron Blundell, myself, and Mick Borzi who were the initial founding group,” he said.
“We were out at the rodeo grounds as members of the Lions Club cleaning out the rodeo’s museum that was only open once a year.
“And we had made comment when we were cleaning it all up, saying ‘why isn’t this stuff available for people to see all year round?’, and that was the germ that created the Heritage Centre.”
The group made a deal with Mareeba Shire Council that they would raise the funds to build the $250,000 facility, then hand it over to the council to own and operate.
At the handover of the centre on 14 October 1995, Mr Borzi, who was chair of the group, revealed that with a “great degree of perseverance”, a total of $254,316 was raised to establish the facility, plus over $20,000 was donated in materials and services.
“Mr Mayor, it gives me great pleasure to hand to you for your council this building debt-free, and may it long serve to benefit the people of the district,” Mr Borzi said at the time of the hand-over.
The biggest donors included council, who contributed $50,000 towards the project, Arts Queensland ($81,500), Lions ($13,500), and the Department of Tourism ($25,000).
Mr Ford said it was important that council “continues in its generosity for the asset of the town”, commenting that it was “absolutely amazing” to see the centre still powering on and improving to this day.
“It’s a great asset to the town, there’s no doubt about it. The amount of volunteers, the amount of hours they put into that, and the work they do, it’s most important it does continue,” he said.
“Tourists come and see the presentation of what they’ve got in the main building, you’ve got the ambulance out the back, the old house beside it, and all the tobacco history. Everything there, it’s a credit to all those people. It is an amazing, amazing thing for the town.”
Mayor Toppin thanked the founding members and the staff and volunteers who continue to preserve the history of the shire.
“Over the past three decades, the Mareeba Heritage Museum has collected thousands of items and has created engaging displays for locals and visitors alike to learn more about our town’s fascinating history,” she said.
“It has evolved into more than just a place that celebrates our history – it serves as a vibrant hub for the community. My sincere thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who continue to preserve our unique history. Congratulations on reaching this incredible 30-year milestone.”
Centre manager Sandrine Gloton said it was very touching that so many people gathered for the milestone.
“We had about 55 attendees and everyone was really pleased to be there,” she said.
“It’s great to see that centre is still a big asset to the community. It’s all the volunteers and people who have helped out over the years that have made it what it is today.
“The community is very proud of what the centre has become and what it is becoming. We’re very excited to see what it will look like in the future.”
