80 Mackenzie Street, Wondai
Phone: 07 4169 0987
Email: wondaimuseum@southburnett.qld.gov.au

No waiting at this hospital!  Part of the Museum comprises the original Wondai Hospital operating theatre, built in 1929.  With Theatre Sister in attendance, straight jackets, tonsil snares, mouth gags and other ‘interesting’ items on display, along with medical machines such as cardiac, violet ray, skin scanner and diathermy, it is certainly worth a visit.  Adjacent is a complete nursery set-up, with cot, bassinet, baby scales and clothes from a bygone era.

The Museum is also home to the town’s Manual Telephone Exchange and a 1924 Dennis fire engine, used to help fight the “Great Fire” at the Kingaroy peanut silos in 1951.  The “Eric Radunz-Vince Miller Slab Barn”, complete with shingle roof, and a restored Cream Shed full of memorabilia relating to the dairy industry are also sited within the grounds.  The “Vince Miller Collection”, comprising over 300 tools and artifacts, is another draw card.  Among the articles in the War Memorial Cabinet is an historic bugle which was played at the Japanese First Army Surrender to the Australians aboard ‘HMAS Rockhampton’ in the Dutch East Indies in 1945.

A complete set of “South Burnett Times” dating from 1962 to present day. Records from a number of closed one-teacher schools in the shire and numerous local history books and individual stories are popular resources for those researching family histories etc.

The former Oddfellows Hall, built in 1932, also forms part of the Museum complex, displaying interesting household displays, as well as a barber’s shop, early dentist’s chair, lino-type machines and travelling film projectors pertaining to early businesses and entertainment venues in the town.

The Museum is open 10.00am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), with other times by prior arrangement.  Entry is free with a gold coin donation appreciated.