Eromanga Natural History Museum, Media Release, 8 May 2025
The tiny town of Eromanga is preparing to celebrate Mother’s Day with a uniquely Australian twist – and a dinosaur named JoJo.
In a touching tribute to two women with the same name, the Eromanga Natural History Museum in Outback Queensland is announcing an early Mother’s Day gift this week by naming a sauropod dinosaur that was unearthed during a dig last year JoJo.
The Museum’s newly named JoJo is more than just a window to the dinosaurs who once roamed the Eromanga region, she recognises the critical work of Jo Pegler and Joanne Wilkinson – who play integral roles in the ongoing success of the museum.
Joanne, a founding supporter and educator, and Jo who is Laboratory Manager and a founding staff member at the museum, have been part of the fabric of this remote outpost of palaeontology since its inception 20 years ago.
“Sauropods typically abandoned their young,” says Museum co-founder and Director Robyn Mackenzie OAM with a laugh. “So while our JoJo may have been a neglectful mother millions of years ago, we’re using her to celebrate two women who are not only fabulous mums, but are also key to the work we do at the museum.”
It’s a rare moment of pause for Robyn herself this Mother’s Day. Each year, she and her team are usually deep in the outback on a fossil dig on Mother’s Day – work that began when her son discovered a dinosaur bone on their property, sparking a legacy that would become the Eromanga Natural History Museum. This year however the May dinosaur dig has been delayed by recent devastating floods that inundated the region.
In addition to delaying the annual May dig, the recent floods have wiped out 85% of visitor bookings for the Eromanga Natural History Museum – a heavy blow for the not-for-profit institution that relies on tourism and community support.
In true outback spirit, the team is undeterred. “We’ve weathered a lot out here,” said Robyn Mackenzie. “And it’s the community – especially the women, the mothers – who help us hold everything together. JoJo the dinosaur is our way of honouring that resilience and love.”
The Eromanga Natural History Museum is now calling on Australians to support the recovery of the region by planning a visit, spreading the word or donating to help preserve its remarkable work.
“The landscape is looking beautiful, we’re dry and all roads to Quilpie Shire and Eromanga are now open. There’s so much to see and do out here that I hope tourists will support us by planning trips out to us,” said Robyn.
Eromanga is currently the furthest town from the sea in Australia, but 90 million years ago, it was in the middle of the Eromanga inland sea – with the recent floods creating an inland island of the Museum, which thankfully remained just out of waters reach.
“We have a strong collection of prehistoric marine fossils from our south west Queensland region, due to our history as an inland sea. I’m hopeful the recent rains and floods may have helped unearth a treasure trove of fossils awaiting discovery when we can get back out and dig later this month,” added Robyn Mackenzie.
For more information or to donate, visit www.enhm.com.au.
Additional information
- Location: 1 Dinosaur Drive, Eromanga, Qld, Australia 4480
- Hours: April–November: Open 7 days; December–March: Open Mon–Fri
- Website: www.enhm.com.au
- Accommodation: Coopers Country Lodge – 4 Star accommodation (book via Museum website)
- Entry/tours: Museum day rates from $20/child and $38/adult (family packages from $110)
