RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre
)- The RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre was built to honour this great Australian and pay tribute to the bush skills and culture that the bush was founded upon. Here visitors can learn about RM Williams’ story, bush skills, Indigenous artifacts, view the Dot Hamilton cattle exhibition, be inspired with bush poetry, and appreciate the skills shared in a leathercraft workshop or demonstration. The Centre also has a modern gallery space and exhibits many talented local and travelling artists.
Eidsvold is the self-proclaimed ‘Beef Capital’ of the North Burnett and has a rich history of successful cattle properties, droving teams and record sized cattle sales. Eidsvold is also where RM Williams chose to settle after leaving South Australia in the 1950’s, seeking a challenge and settling on a property along the Auburn River near Eidsvold. RM’s connection to Eidsvold is apparent still today, with reminders of his tenure in the small community’s various stone buildings and numerous friendly locals sharing their stories. RM’s property ‘Rockybar’ is also his final resting place, where he is at peace in the quiet bush outside of Eidsvold.
The Centre is situated along Australia’s Country Way, the A3, and is only a short walk to town, close the bushland, Showgrounds, Golf Course and Saleyards.
The Centre also offers a pet-friendly, self-contained RV Stop for $10 / van / night. Toilets are available for campers.
The Son et Lumiere is the outdoor Light and Sound Show held every night at the Centre. Playing at 6pm and 7pm this must see show shares the story of RM Williams, with local story tellers, poets, and drovers sharing interesting stories of life in the bush. The Show is projected onto a customised steel Sculpture called the ‘Language of the Land’. Read about this special sculpture here: https://oldsite.northburnett.qld.gov.au/language-of-the-land/
OPENING HOURS
Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm (Closed from 12pm – 12.30pm for lunch)
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 10am – 2pm
Closed: Good Friday, Anzac day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
Entry pricing:
- Visitor Information and Driver Reviver – Free
- General admission – $5
- Family admission – $15 (2 adults and 2 children)
- Additional children – $2
- Children under 15 – $2.5
- Children under 5 – Free
Current Exhibition
Upcoming Exhibition
“Go West” is an exhibition of works by fashion designer Kiara Bulley and local creatives Helen Webb, Bronwyn Chu and Seinileva Huakau. Images of these works were captured by photographer Deelan Do and modelled by Maggie Luu.
On Friday 6th August 5.30-7pm we will be officially opening an exhibition that celebrates the outcomes of the CQ Shopfront Artisan in Residence project in the North Burnett. We would love for you to come along.
In early 2020, fashion designer Kiara Bulley (Bulley Bulley) was invited to the North Burnett region as part of a series of residency programs happening across Central Queensland, organised and supported by The Ideas Distillery in Bundaberg for the CQ Shopfront Project. Coming to fruition in 2021, this residency saw Kiara travel widely across the region, connecting with regional creatives through workshops. Kiara mentored local artists and designers in a shared project that drew inspiration from the region.
Inspired by the rolling pasture lands of the region, Kiara developed a small collection of garments that pay homage to life on the horse’s back. Through the lens of her fashion brand, Bulley Bulley, a vision of country-style is reimagined as romantic, nostalgic and incongruously disco-glam against the landscape of the North Burnett region.
Helen Webb (Forever Country) makes hand crafted linen garments and tooled leather accessories. Helen’s designs are effortlessly chic and contemporary, and present a relaxed, modern take on classic country-style.
Bronwyn Chu looked directly to the land for inspiration. Working with natural dying processes that utilised local flora and minerals, Bronwyn created garments using zero-waste cutting techniques.
Multidisciplinary artist Seinileva Huakau, was inspired by the pageantry of local camp drafting and horse show events. Utilising her skills in wearable textiles and weaving, Seini created large floral garlands to be worn concurrently by horse and rider.
Join us for the launch night for a complimentary drink and nibbles and mingle with the artists. Please register online to attend: https://www.theideasdistillery.net/event-details/go-west-cq-shopfront-artisan-in-residence-north-burnett-project-exhibition-launch
The exhibition will continue until Friday 20th August.
The CQ Shopfront Project has been designed and produced by The Ideas Distillery.
This project has been funded by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and CQ RASN. The Regional Arts Services Network is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. CQ University has been appointed as the Central Queensland Provider. Funding has also been received through the Regional Arts Fund, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between North Burnett Regional Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
For enquiries please contact the friendly staff:
RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre
23767 Gayndah-Monto Road, EIDSVOLD QLD 4627
Phone: (07) 4165 7272
Email: info@rmwilliamscentre.com.au
Find us on Facebook! @Visit North Burnett: Home of the RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre
Son et Lumiere – Light and Sound Show
While you are visiting the Centre make sure you stay for the ‘Son et Lumiere’ – Light and Sound Show, a customised steel sculpture that comes to life with illuminated local stories. Here you will learn more of our Australian icon and locals that lived, loved and worked in the area. Hear their stories of bushcrafts, bush antics and poetry.
The FREE ‘Light Show’ can be viewed each evening at 6PM & 7PM.