The proponents behind ambitious plans for a world-class regional museum in the Illawarra have been given an up close and personal tour of their preferred location for what they hope will be a major new tourist drawcard for the region.

The visionary plans for a Museum of People and Industry (MPI) will see the stories of this region's history shared with the nation.  The plan is for five core elements: the First Peoples' connection and care for Country, the creation of nation-building coal and steel industries, capturing our unique migrant history, our precious cultural heritage, and the spectacular natural beauty of our home between the mountains and the sea.

With the centenary of steelmaking at Port Kembla just three years away, the MPI project lead, Franca Facci, is hopeful the bold new attraction might be created on a huge area of land near Cringila which has been identified by Bluescope as being surplus to their future requirements.

The perfect location

Speaking to The Illawarra Flame while on a tour of potential sites inside the steel complex, Franca said she couldn't think of a more appropriate location to bring the MPI vision to reality.

"Steelmaking in Wollongong has been the heartbeat of this city for so long," Franca said. "The more I get to see what's taken place at this location over the decades, the more committed I am to help tell all the stories.

"Everyone who visits this site is in awe of the sheer scale of it and its huge potential."

Leading the tour of the vacant spaces – which include many cavernous buildings no longer part of the steel operations and now standing empty – was the Manager of Bluescope Communications and Community, Craig Nealon.

Finding new uses for empty buildings

Craig, who is currently writing a book about the 100-year history of the steel industry in the Illawarra, confirmed the company's intention to retain as many of the original buildings as possible and repurpose them for new uses.

Franca Facci has been quick to point out the synergies and benefits of housing an impressive new museum that captures the story of the region inside the site which has employed so many locals and played such a big role in guiding Wollongong's journey for so long.

Craig Nealon is equally excited about what might happen on the 200 hectares of vacant Bluescope land, and he believes capturing the proud history of steelmaking is very appropriate.

"It's a long and complicated history with lots of challenges over the years. It's certainly been a landmark industry that's touched the lives of most people in Wollongong."

Heritage buildings and equipment nearly 100 years old

Craig was clearly proud of what's been achieved over the years as he provided a running commentary as the tour bus guided the Museum of People and Industry supporters across the site. Stopping briefly at one of the original buildings, the Number One Powerhouse which is clearly dated 1928.

Next stop the giant Galloway steam engine, which was built in England during the First World War before being purchased by Australian Iron and Steel, shipped to Australia, and rebuilt on site to drive the first rolling mill at Port Kembla in 1929. The engine is described as "a magnificent piece of heavy engineering and the only existing example of this type of engine in Australia, and probably the world."  Surely, it deserves a much more impressive home than where it currently sits – gathering dust in the dark – perhaps as a central exhibit in the proposed MPI.

Amongst the MPI supporters, graphic designer Gregor Cullen has a long family connection with the steelworks. His father was chief electrical engineer during one of the biggest growth periods at the plant. Gregor himself did seasonal work at the steelworks to support him while studying.

We need to celebrate our migrant history

"It's long overdue. We need something like a museum to celebrate and tell the story of this region before we lose it," Gregor said. "There are so many important stories to tell about the migrants who came here and the contributions they made. Museums also employ people and they're educational."

Historian Andy Muir is a relative newcomer to the Illawarra and is a curator at the Australian War Memorial. He's also a passionate supporter of the MPI project.

"To know a place, you really need an understanding of its history," Andy said. "The diversity of the story of Wollongong is an exciting story that we should be sharing."

Locals are passionate about our history

No one understands the interest here to learn more about our local history than David Bottin, who has always had a passion for rail heritage, but these days he reminds us daily about how our city and region have evolved over the decades.

A little over a decade ago David created the Lost Wollongong Facebook site. Today it has nearly 70,000 members, amongst the most popular social media sites in the region.

Speaking after the BlueScope site visit tour, David couldn't hide his excitement. 

"I'd love to see a museum here that's worthy of this region, and that's nationally and internationally recognised," David said. "Having visited the site, the possibilities are endless. There's a wonderland of possibilities and I'm looking forward to seeing the projects coming out of it."

Read more

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