Wagga could lose Pen Museum to Gundagai

WAGGA could soon lose its Australian Pen Museum with its owner looking to move it somewhere it will be appreciated.For years the museum has been based at Tolland Hardware but owner Bruce Wicks is now considering moving it to his former home town, Gundagai.He has spoken to Gundagai Shire Council about bringing the museum to the town and hoped to meet with council staff soon to decide on a venue.Mr Wicks said he was considering moving the museum because there was not a suitable facility in Wagga to grow the museum."There is no venue for it in Wagga," he said."The worry about Wagga is the location is difficult."There is three important criteria I have. It has to be a very secure place that is fire proof and above the flood level and that rules out Wagga."Mr Wicks hopes that by moving his museum to Gundagai he can help increase tourism in the town.He said he was aware of the town's trouble attracting tourists.He also hopes the move would allow his museum to expand."It needs to go somewhere and it needs to go somewhere before my time finishes," Mr Wicks said."I am only a temporary custodian of these things, a lot of people have graciously donated their heirlooms."I want it to be somewhere it is appreciated."Gundagai mayor Abb McAlister said council felt the museum would help boost tourism and is considering putting it in the old gaol."Anything like that, if people want to bring it here, it can't do any harm other than attract people here," he said.