A complete skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex, a full plesiosaur skeleton from Africa, 100 million year old reptile and bird skeletons from China, Australia’s finest collection of fossils in amber as well as the world’s largest dinosaur egg have all found a home in Bathurst.

The announcement today by the Premier of NSW Mr Bob Carr giving State Government support to house the world renowned Somerville Collection in Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland settlement, has again put Bathurst on the international map.

Known as the Somerville Collection (in the name of its collector Warren Somerville), the 6500 fossils and minerals have been coveted as one the finest private collections world wide. A number of items in the collection are noted as the only, or best example in the world.

The proposal to establish a world class museum of fossils and minerals in regional NSW was developed by Charles Sturt University, the Australian Museum, Bathurst City Council and the Mining Industry of Australia with full support from Warren Somerville. The collection will be housed in the former TAFE buildings in Bathurst.

Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Professor Cliff Blake, said Charles Sturt was proud to be participating in this “first step towards the realisation of Mr Somerville’s vision for the establishment of a world class teaching and research institute”.

“Immediate benefits to the University in terms of teaching and research are inestimable. This announcement gives us access to one of the best private collections in the world. There is also tremendous significance for the collection to be housed in regional NSW,” Professor Blake said.

“When the buildings are renovated and the collection of minerals and fossils is professionally displayed and annotated, the Museum will become the leading year round tourist attraction in Bathurst and the Central West. It will have the potential to bring large numbers of visitors to the city as well as providing a rich educational resource for children.”

Mayor of Bathurst Mr Ian Macintosh referring to Mr Somerville’s wish to retain the collection in Australia, added that “to achieve this and one better - that it stays in regional Australia - has really given the City of Bathurst the icing on the cake”.

“Announcing Bathurst as the site for this museum can only further enhance the region’s economic, tourism and educational opportunities,” Mr Macintosh said.

Charles Sturt University will appoint Mr Somerville as a Professorial Fellow and Inaugural Curator of the Museum, and will complement the Museum’s proposed outreach program to NSW schools with a teaching and research program.

“Part of the Australian Museum’s mission is to look beyond Sydney and to take its assets to the people of regional Australia,” said Professor Michael Archer, Director of the Australian Museum. “To have access to these wonderful heritage-listed buildings for this new museum and our stewardship of the unique Somerville Collection will allow us to act on this mission most effectively.”

Warren Somerville, in concluding, offered his sincere thanks to the Premier Mr Carr and the State Government for their support in this “extraordinary project”, saying that “this has been a long time dream – not only for myself, but for many fellow researchers and scientists in Australia. To see this dream be given wings today - is extremely special for me.”