A NEW home is being sought for the biggest private collection of artefacts related to bushranger Ned Kelly.
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It was announced on Friday the Ned Kelly Vault exhibition in Beechworth's sub-treasury building would not be reopening after being closed since the coronavirus eruption in March.
However, founder and co-curator Matt Shore said the decision was driven by a lack of room for exhibits rather than COVID.
"Space is at a premium and we can't be knocking holes in heritage buildings, which is fair enough," Mr Shore said.
About 150 items are spread across the rooms of the 19th century building with a further 50 in storage.
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Mr Shore said he had been contemplating the need for greater floorspace and speaking to lndigo Shire, which oversees the historic precinct, about the situation since October last year.
However, they could not agree to terms over its continued operation.
"It needs a proper home and we're committed to working with different councils through the region to promote the story," Mr Shore said.
"It is the best private collection in Australia, it's nationally significant, and I'd like to see it go to a new home and stay in the North East."
The Ned Kelly Vault opened in 2014 with the outlaw's Beechworth biographer Ian Jones cutting a ribbon to launch it.
The archive's items ranged from the armour worn by singer Mick Jagger in the 1970 Ned Kelly film to the convicted killer's favourite rifle known as Betty.
There is also the first reward poster for the Kelly Gang which was printed by Jamieson police following the Stringybark Creek massacre of police.
The council's chief executive Trevor Ierino said the shire understood Mr Shore's "vision for the privately owned collection to be displayed in a larger location, which will enable him to do justice to the entire collection and continue his role as ambassador for the collection on behalf of the private owners".
"We wish him well with his endeavours and look forward to our ongoing relationship with him, recognising his passion for and knowledge of the Ned Kelly story and our joint commitment to sharing and developing Beechworth's Kelly history," Mr Ierino said.
In addition to Mr Shore freely giving his time, there were 40 volunteers who helped run the vault.
About 20 per cent of the items were from Beechworth's Burke Museum and they will now return there.
The museum has not opened following Victoria's most recent lockdown and is subject to statewide restrictions for galleries easing before it can again host visitors.
