History

Originally opened on 11 April 1998 to celebrate the rich history of ‘Waltzing Matilda’, Australian Bush Poetry, and the Winton district, the Waltzing Matilda Centre was the first museum in the world dedicated to a song. After the original building was lost to an electrical fire on 15 June 2015, the new centre reopened 20 April 2018. Designed by Brisbane’s Cox Architecture and built by Townsville’s A Gabrielli Constructions, it was an intensive labour of love to get the Centre reopened so quickly after the devastating loss of the original building. Thankfully, the Qantilda Museum at the rear of the old building was virtually untouched by the fire, and was run by volunteers and members of the Winton District Historical Society in the interim.

Since its reopening, the Waltzing Matilda Centre has continued to share the incredible history of Australia’s unofficial national anthem, as well as that of Winton and the surrounding districts. It has played host to many events, such as gallery openings at the Outback Regional Gallery, book launches for the Outback Writers Festival, films as part of the Vision Splendid Film Festival, Waltzing Matilda Day celebrations, National Science Week events, and many more.

Winton Shire Council received $8 million in federal funding through the National Stronger Regions Fund in 2016 to rebuild the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

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