ALBURY Council has over-ruled a recommendation from one of its own history-based committees and will proceed with an original plan to have a full-size replica of the Montford Uiver flight memorial statuette created.
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The museum and social history acquisitions and de-accession committee was asked to consider the potential acquisition of a replica statuette produced by the Amsterdam Museum.
But in part it felt that a replica of the original bronze and marble statue would not add any further interpretive value to what was presently in existence to commemorate the 1934 emergency landing of the Dutch plane at Albury racecourse.
A loan of the original statuette could have greater value and more ceremonial and promotional value, according to the committee.
Council staff agreed with the committee position, but councillors voted to overturn the staff recommendation and press ahead and produce a replica.
Once completed it will be incorporated into the LibraryMuseum Uiver collection.
"Thank you very much to that committee for performing a job we didn't ask you to do," Cr John Stuchbery said.
"The aircraft we are presently restoring, the Uiver, is not the original.
"The original is in a thousand pieces in the desert in Syria and the aircraft we are restoring is another DC2.
"There is no particular reason why the museum should incorporate only originals in its display.
"The purpose of a museum is not to display originals.
"It is to tell a story and if you are not telling a story you are not going to get people interested.
"If you haven't got people interested, you are not going to have customers."
The cost of producing the replica statuette, including freight costs from Amsterdam to Albury, has been estimated at $13,910, which is well within a $20,000 budget set for the project.
The original statuette was created by sculptor Paul Montford as a gesture of condolence to the people of Holland, after the Uiver crashed in the Syrian desert late in 1934, killing all seven people on board.
After missing for many years the plaster replica was uncovered two years ago and donated back to council with the assistance of Uiver historian Noel Jackling.
He said it was pleasing the original proposal for a replica statuette be made was firmly back on track.
"My fundamental start point is the best way to tell the story of two statuettes is with two statuettes," he said.
"This is a great outcome for Albury because we will have two stunning statuettes from one of Australia's foremost sculptors which is not only telling the story of the two statuettes, but is telling the story of our special relationship with the Dutch.
"It may in fact be so significant it will attract tourism."
