THE community of Winton is in shock today as it surveys the destruction of not only a landmark tourism venue but much of its history.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services inspector Bob Stook has confirmed that the Waltzing Matilda Centre has been completely destroyed by fire.
“This is going to devastate the town,” he said.
“They have lost so much memorabilia and history of their place. The Waltzing Matilda Centre was an icon for Australia.”
The sorrow was echoed by Winton Shire Council tourism officer John Elliott, who watched as the fire took hold of the centre in the early hours of the morning.
The complex housed the community’s Visitor Information Centre, a cafe, the Outback Regional Art Gallery, the Sarah Riley Theatre and the Qantilda Museum, as well as the display built around the Banjo Paterson poem that has become Australia’s unofficial national anthem.
“It looks like a bomb has gone off inside,” Mr Elliott said.
“The reading room is half burnt, half wet, and the ceiling has fallen in.
“The worst thing is the loss of all the things you can’t rebuild.”
A display of local Anzac history collected for the Anzac centenary in April didn’t catch fire but has been affected by heat and smoke, according to Mr Stook.
A cottage and displays at the rear of the complex were saved, along with buildings on either side.
No-one was injured in the blaze, which was attended by three units, two from Winton and another from Longreach, 177 kilometres away.
Authorities were notified of the fire shortly before 2am when a local teenager was woken by the barking of his dog and saw the fire.
Fire investigators are travelling to Winton from Brisbane and are expected on site this afternoon.
Mr Stook said a lot of work would have to be done to determine the cause of the fire and it wasn’t expected to be known for some time.
Vision Splendid Festival to continue
DESPITE the devastating loss of one of the venues for the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival this morning, when fire gutted the landmark Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, festival organisers are keen to assure people that “the show will go on”.
Daytime screenings were due to be shown in the Sarah Riley Theatre in the tourism complex but the fire now makes that impossible.
Film Festival director Mark Melrose assured the public this morning they were working on a back-up venue.
“We are working on an alternative and everything will go ahead,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with Winton, the staff and volunteers. We encourage visitors not to change their plans.”
The second Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is due to open on June 26 with the premiere of Last Cab to Darwin, with lead actor Michael Caton in attendance, and will run until July 4.
