I refer in particular to the statement by Mayor Joyce McCulloch where she is quoted as saying  "I used to sit on the Riversleigh Advisory Committee but previous Councils did not support the museum financially or have a passion for it."

As a member of my Council for four years I can't recall Councillor Joyce McCulloch ever raising the issue of the Museum or demonstrating any passion whatsoever for it at Council meetings.

History is a wonderful thing and often comes back to haunt people, so lets look at the facts of the Riversleigh Fossil Museum.

Back in the late eighties Dr. Michael Archer and his team from Sydney University were regular visitors to Riversleigh Station.

After many investigations they discovered this fossil field which created massive international interest.

They  addressed a public meeting at the Barkly Hotel explaining the world significance of this fossil find.

I attended that meeting and took a great interest in the project believing it had the potential to be of enormous benefit to our area. As Mayor of the City I established a good and lasting friendship with Dr Michael Archer and his team planning and establishing the Riversleigh Fossil Museum at the back of the Civic Centre where the old Steppe Disco used to be.

Glen Graham and I were successful in securing  government and corporate support for the venture.   

This museum was eventually  established by the City Council and opened to the general public and the hard work and the artistic talents of Glen Graham and his late father who worked together and established this amazing asset for Mount Isa certainly paid off for our City.

Alan Rackham also played a major role in those early days and credit must go to him. He will do well in his new appointment at the museum, he has a passion for it.

We had the massive "Big Bird" transferred from Riverleigh Station and It was placed in the foyer of the Civic Centre for all to see.

The importance of this find at Riversleigh was certainly on everyones lips.

In 1995 The City Council under the leadership of Mayor Ron McCullough transferred the museum from the Steppe Disco to larger premises at Outback at the Isa.

And Glen Graham was employed by the Mount Isa City Council to develop the Museum at its new premises.

The new museum, which received massive support from City Council under the leadership of Mayor Ron McCullough received rave revues from all who visited it. At the same time Alan Rackham and a couple of his friends again became very involved donating their time, energy and expertise in assisting in developing this project.

Mayor Joyce McCulloch’s  comments that previous Councils did nothing for the museum are totally WRONG.

Maybe this was because the Museum came under the control of the Board of "Outback at the Isa" which was financed by the City Council.

As Mayor from 1985 to 1990 I and my Council certainly played our part in the establishment of the original Riversleigh museum as did the next Council under the leadership of Mayor Ron McCullough who took it to the next step by moving it to Outback at the Isa.

I also visited Riversleigh Station on many occasions and together with Glen Graham and his late father, Alan Rackham and many other people from Mount Isa.

We certainly did much to develop this museum. 

I can assure Mayor Joyce McCulloch that we all certainly "Had A Passion For It"

I certainly support this new initiative and under the leadership of Alan Rackham I’m hopeful it will succeed.

Tony McGrady