The Clunes Bottle Museum, home to the George Lee Medlyn Bottle Collection, has revamped its collection of more than 6000 rare and unusual bottles and, by the end of next year, will feature a six-metre fibreglass bottle at its entrance.
The museum’s committee members have redesigned the displays and exhibition spaces with the help of a $20,000 grant from the Hugh Williamson Foundation.
Features
- The George Lee Medlyn Bottle Collection
- Tourist Information Centre
- Rebuilt 1800s Aerated Water Factory
- Mining Relics
George Lee Medlyn was born in 1921 at St Arnaud, Victoria. Most of his life was spent as a sheep farmer and wool classer. However it was whilst fossicking for gold that he discovered his lifelong passion for old bottles, many of which were found alongside the old diggings. After the death of Lee’s first wife in 1981 (there were no children) Lee settled his affairs and retired to become a resident of Clunes for 15 years. Lee later met his companion of 13 years Joyce Harrison at an antique and collectables fair where she was working as a judge.
In 1985 with storage becoming a huge problem, they purchased the former State School No. 136, and began a new venture, the Bottle Musuem. Their shared love of travel and collecting took them to many places throughout Australia enabling them to add selected pieces of interest to the collection, which led to the present display of many rare and historical items.
Following his death in August 1994, Lee bequeathed the collection and building to the Shire of Talbot and Clunes. This generous gift to the town is managed for the community by a committee of management made up of volunteers appointed by Shire of Hepburn Council.
Visitor Information
A wide selection of tourist information and souvenirs are available from the centre. Details on the history of Clunes and the surrounding district as well as general information on other regions of Victoria.
Old School Complex: 70 Bailey Street, Clunes, Victoria
Open 4 days 11am-4pm Thursday to Sunday.
