Exhibition curator Sabine Smyth said that Benalla’s Jane Rushworth had joined the committee as secretary.
“Early next year (we) will be celebrating 10 years (since) opening Hut 11 to the public,” Ms Smyth said.
“It is great timing for Jane to join us and bring new ideas and skills.
“Our existing committee, Anna Castles, Sophie Arendt, Andree Klopsteins, Deb Paez and Mike Smyth are pleased to welcome Jane, whom we all already know as a supporter of our project.
“Jane is joining us just as we are planning a larger migrant camp reunion event in April 2023.”
Ms Smyth said details of that would be revealed later this year.
“We are ready to take that next step and Jane will be such an asset,” Ms Smyth said.
“Jane has a broad tourism background as the operator of Rushton Cottage accommodation, as coordinator of Benalla’s first Heritage Week Festival, and as a Visitor Information Centre volunteer.
“We are very lucky to have someone with an interest in history-based tourism like Jane, and great local networks, join our group.
“When we began our project in 2013 we had no idea where it was going to take us, or how long the interest in the project would last.
“But here we are almost 10 years on, and the interest only grows.
“We are exceptionally proud of what our exhibition has added to Benalla’s economy so far, in terms of overnight stays for event visitors and adding a point of difference to our local tourism offering.
“We also enjoy liaising with past residents and their families, and have established a database of hundreds of ‘Friends of the Benalla Migrant Exhibition’.
“All our past events have booked out; our 2017 reunion sold 300 tickets.
“There is definitely huge interest out there and we love promoting our little gem of an exhibition to former resident families and history tourists.”
Find out more about the exhibition on Facebook @Benalla Migrant Camp Exhibition.
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