About

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum is a new, contemporary space that reflects unique aspects of historic and modern life in the Yarra Ranges region.

The building is a stunning architectural blend of the historic 1889 Lillydale Shire Offices and an innovative modern extension.

Opened on 14 May 2011, this new facility, its exhibits, programs, professional staff and collections of more than 7,000 items (including the internationally significant Dame Nellie Melba collection) will provide an invaluable community resource.

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum provides access to the cultural heritage of the Yarra Ranges region. It is a focal point for more than 17 historical societies and heritage groups across the Shire, a gathering space, and a source of professional educational and public programs for all ages.

Just as the building redevelopment represents the continuation, re-interpretation and rediscovery of history, the museum has ensured its future relevance and viability through a range of contemporary collecting programs including 'Memory Bank', which collects personal photographs and stories from 1950 to today.

Located at 35-37 Castella St, next to Melba Park in Lilydale, Victoria, the Museum is less than an hour from Melbourne CBD by car or train. It is a place for community and visitors to come together, explore, create and connect.

Our collection

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Collection (1976)

This collection is located at the new Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, opened in 2011 in Lilydale, to the east of Melbourne (a focal point for more than 17 historical societies and heritage groups across the Shire ). The collection?s purpose is to preserve and record the unique cultural heritage of the Yarra Ranges region. The collection includes a wide range of artefacts, personal objects, photographs, oral history recordings, artworks, and archives. Special materials include small collection related to Coranderrk Mission and Aboriginal Australians of the area, and an internationally significant collection related to opera diva Dame Nellie Melba, Australia?s first international star, whose home was in the Yarra Valley (870 letters, photographs and personal objects). An exciting contemporary collecting program includes the 'Memory Bank' project, which collects personal photographs and stories from 1950 to today.

Themes: Connecting Victorians by transport and communications, Transforming and managing land and natural resources, Building community life, Shaping cultural and creative life