The sudden structural emergency that necessitated the closure of Maldon Museum has left the tenant organisation concerned about the building’s contents. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association (MM&AA) says it was not given any notice that the building would be closed, leaving it unable to operate and concerned about the risks to museum artefacts. It is calling for a meeting with Council to discuss protecting the museum collection.

As reported in the Tarrangower Times on Friday 1 May, a crack in the chimney was identified during works to address rising damp in the 1859 building, formerly the Maldon Market, Maldon Shire Hall and which now houses the Maldon Museum and Archives.

MM&AA said in a statement: “Due to the sudden closure of the building on 8 April 2026, MM&AA has had no opportunity to enter the building and properly secure collection items or remove items that are needed to enable the ongoing business operations of the organisation.”

The organisation clarified that it is a not-for-profit incorporated association and a separate entity to Mount Alexander Shire Council, saying: “(The MM&AA) leases the Former Market Hall & Shire Office at Maldon from Mt Alexander Shire Council which the council manages on behalf of the land owner, the Victorian Government.”

Members of the Maldon Museum committee have raised concerns about maintenance issues for a number of years; in 2011 the convenor of the Maldon District Museum Working was critical of council priorities regarding museum maintenance and the mayor of the time expected the building would be fixed within eight years as part of a ‘works and renewal program’ (TT, Friday 30 September 2011).

In the meantime a 2011 Conservation Management Plan identified cracks, rising damp and leaks – some of which were addressed in 2015 – and the MM&AA says it has continued to ask the Council, as the building manager, to address the ongoing maintenance issues.

“Work on the rising damp and doors commenced on 10 March 2026,” the MM&AA statement says. “Council requested that the building be closed to the public until the end of June 2026 to enable this work to proceed.”

The MM&AA says it hopes to be included in future conversations with Council about closures and estimated timelines.

“As the building lessee and a separate entity from council MM&AA needs to be kept informed and consulted at all times prior to decisions being taken by council in respect of the building, notwithstanding the safety issues involved and urgency,” the organisation said.

Important to the community

MM&AA Secretary Damien Kennedy said that the voluntary members of the organisation are already missing the museum, and that many people were very dedicated to it. He said the MM&AA is keen to stay in touch with Council as the works progressed.

Mr Kennedy said: “We just want to get back in there to do what we do and we’re happy to work with Council to make that happen.”

Regarding the safety of the collection, including some that Mr Kennedy says have been identified as Objects of State Significance, the MM&AA plans to add protection measures to the list of discussion items for a future meeting with Council, pointing to its existing Disaster Preparedness Plan.

The organisation says: “MM&AA’s Committee is committed to working closely with council at every step of the process to address the problem with the chimney so as to enable the museum to reopen to the public at the earliest opportunity.”

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 8 May 2026.