AGY-7024 | Geological and Mining Museum (1876-1991) / The Earth Exchange (1991-1995)

Full description

The Geological and Mining Museum was originally set up under the Mining Act, 1874 (37 Vic. No.13). The Act allowed for the establishment of "a Mineralogical Museum for the purpose of providing instruction by means of classes, lectures or otherwise in geology, mineralogy and chemistry in their scientific and practical application to mining pursuits and offices for the assaying of mineral ores" which was to be "under the control and management of the Department of Mines". These functions were repeated under Section 4 of the Mining Act, 1906 (Act No.49, 1906) and Section 18 of the Mining Act 1973 (Act No.42, 1973).

The Museum's collections were begun in 1875 under the direction of the Geological Surveyor in charge, Mr Charles Smith Wilkinson. The Museum first opened to the public on 6 March 1876 and was located in Bridge Street, Sydney. In 1879 the Museum's collections were moved to the Garden Palace Exhibition Building, located in the Sydney Botanic Gardens, and were totally destroyed in the Garden Palace fire on 22 September 1882. The Museum re-opened with newly assembled collections in temporary premises in 1886 but it was not until 1909 that it moved to its well-know location at 36-64 George Street / 18 Hickson Road, in The Rocks area of Sydney. (1) The Museum opened to the public in August 1909. (2)

In 1984 the New South Wales Government and the mining industry accepted a redevelopment proposal for the Museum. A Board of Management was established by the Minister for Mineral Resources in 1985 to provide advice on several issues, the most important of which was the proposal to redevelop the existing Geological and Mining Museum into the Mining Museum. The Board first met in August 1985.

Under the Mining (Geological and Mining Museum) Amendment Act 1989 (Act No.141, 1989) the Geological and Mining Museum Trust was constituted. The objects of the Trust were to control and manage the Museum in a manner which:

a) stimulates interest in the sciences and technologies related to the development and use of mineral and energy resources; and
b) increases and disseminates knowledge of the importance of mining, and of mineral and energy resources; and
c) promotes the responsible development and use of minerals and energy resources.

Under the Trust's administration the Geological and Mining Museum was re-named The Earth Exchange. The entrance was relocated from 36 George Street to 18 Hickson Road and on 30 March 1991 The Earth Exchange was opened as one of Sydney's major attractions - an exciting, innovative museum where visitors could learn and have fun at the same time. The Earth Exchange also incorporated the Energy Information Centre under contract with the Energy Corporation of New South Wales from 1990.

In 1992 a new Mining Act (Act No.29, 1992) was passed. Part 16 of the new Act (sections 341-357) dealt with the Geological and Mining Museum including the Geological and Mining Museum Trust, Trust property, administration and financial provisions. Under Section 344 (3) the Trust had "the control and management of the Museum and of all property vesting in the Trust". Under Section 344 (6) it was stated that "in the exercise of its functions the Trust is subject to the control and direction of the Minister".

The Earth Exchange, due to the withdrawal of government funding, closed to the public on 29 September 1995 and its operations were wound up on 15 December 1995. Reasons for the withdrawal of funding included falling visitor numbers, comparatively high admission costs, and providing greater access to its collections through relocation to better located and equipped venues such as the Australian Museum. (2)

Endnotes
1. Disposal Recommendation 5337.
2. NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Heritage Register, Mining Museum (former), https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5053178 (accessed 20 December 2018).
3. Disposal Recommendation 5337.