About
The Inverloch Shell Museum contains one of the world’s best displays of shells, with over 6,000 specimens on display including many local varieties. In 1980 the Inverloch community purchased the Jack Lewis Collection which had been a popular attraction in Inverloch for many years. A trust was set up to secure its future. In 1989 the Trust purchased the Drysdale Collection, doubling the existing collection.
In 1990 Noel and Betty Hope of Preston, collectors for more than 50 years, donated their collection to the Trust. In 1992, the Trust handed control to the Shire of Woorayl, now Bass Coast Shire. Community support has given us one of the world's best displays of shells, with over 6000 being on display.
The collection is now owned by the Bass Coast Shire under the auspices of the South Gippsland Conservation Society. The collection is constantly reviewed and updated by local members of the Malacological Society of Australia.
Our collection
This collection, which is dedicated to the late Peter Noonan, is displayed along the back wall. All the shells in this collection may be found within the state of Victoria. A large number may be found within Anderson's Inlet and the Bunurong Marine Park.
In this collection may be found a sinistral specimen of Sassia verrucosa (Reeve, 1844) found by Jack Lewis. Sinistral is the term used to describe left handed shells - shells where the aperture is on the left when you place the shell with the spire up and the aperture facing you.
