THE Ford Discovery Centre, closed in July 2012, could be resurrected as part of a Geelong Museum of Motoring planned for the former Mill Markets site.
Developers Dennis More and Cameron Hamilton, together with a committee headed by Geelong Revival director Nicholas Heath, want to have the motoring museum open by Easter.
In it, if approved by City Hall, would be the former Ford Discovery Centre vehicles and displays along with other vehicles such as trucks and boats built at Geelong in the past.
Mr Heath told the Independent up to 200 vehicles were on offer for the museum to showcase although exhibitions would probably feature no more than 50 vehicles at a time.
He said a proposal was being put to the City this week which, if okayed, could see the Ford collection and other vehicles available for public viewing within just months.
“When it closed, which saddened us all, we put forward a suggestion for a volunteer-based collection,” he said.
“They were amendable to idea and, based on our formal proposal, they’ve basically deeded us the contents of the museum.”
Mr Heath said the museum would be about the Geelong’s motoring heritage, not simply Ford cars. It would host local and touring exhibitions. The committee hopes also to spearhead a motoring education facility for unemployed.
“The history of the industry, some of it’s fading but it’s interesting and it would nice to capture it — that’s our first mission.
“Secondly, we want to provide a home base for motoring and mechanical clubs, motor sports enthusiast clubs, many of whom if not homeless are almost homeless. A meeting space would be a good thing for them and us.
“Thirdly, we hope to take some of the skills from retired workers and pass them on to others, especially disadvantaged youth.”
Mr Hamilton said the motoring museum was part of broader plans for the historic Federal Mill precinct in Mackey Street.
He wouldn’t detail the plans but suggested hundreds of jobs could be generated by some $10 million investment in different business enterprises within the area.
“We’re about attracting people to Geelong,” he said. “Our goal is to find new uses for old buildings and we specialise in things that are at least 50 years old, it’s all about cleaning them up and tenanting them.”
