Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre

The Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre (RMWABLC) 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 Mr 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. Mr William’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. Mr Williams’ 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 6.00pm and 7.00pm, this must-see show shares the story of Reginald Murray 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’.

OPENING HOURS

Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm (Closed for lunch between 12pm – 12.30pm)
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 – $10
Family admission – $25 (2 adults and 2 children)
Additional children – $3
Children under 15 – $5
Children under 5 – Free

CURRENT EXHIBITION

REGINALD MURRAY WILLIAMS AUSTRALIAN BUSH LEARNING CENTRE presents, Totems and Country, by Val McGrath, from 3 May 2023.

Val McGrath is a Murri (Aboriginal) woman from Queensland. She was born in Brisbane and
grew up and lived in many towns throughout Queensland. She has also spent a lot of time in
Western Australia, in her husband’s country, due to her affiliation and connections there.
Elders have encouraged her art over many years, with her main mentor being an Elder from
Western Australia.

Val has created Aboriginal art and exhibited her work and conducted art workshops
throughout regional Queensland, in places such as Murgon, Nanango, Dalby, Blackbutt,
Chinchilla, the Bunya Mountains, Maryborough and Eidsvold. Some of the galleries which
have exhibited her work include Lapunyah Gallery in Chinchilla, Blackbutt Art Gallery,
Maryborough Gallery and the Reginald Murray Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre in
Eidsvold.

Val has also been involved with music for many years, winning various awards for singing
and songwriting at Rockhampton, Mackay and Sarina Country Music Festivals. She has
recorded 2 CDs of original songs which she wrote herself, and as in her paintings, her music
expresses her love of country and culture.

Upon retirement, Val moved to Blackbutt, where she further cultivated her art. She is
passionate about her culture and has developed her own style of presenting stories through
painting, with the approval of her Elders.

Val has played an active part in the development of art and music in her community, taking up
leadership roles in organisations such as the Rockhampton Country Music Club and the
Nambucca Heads Country Music Club. She has been treasurer of the Blackbutt Art Gallery, a
RADF Committee member at South Burnett Regional Council and director and founding
member of South Burnett Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporation.
Val has worked tirelessly for the Aboriginal community, organising a Reconciliation event in
Blackbutt, assisting in organizing the first NAIDOC event run by an Aboriginal organization in
Kingaroy and carrying out the role of coordinator for the Poona Community Progress
Association.

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS