Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Marketing

Benalla Museum benefits from student project

A joint project between the Graphic Design and Interactive Design students at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE's (GOTAFE) Wangaratta campus will benefit the Benalla Museum and its patrons.

GOTAFE students have developed an Interactive kiosk on behalf of the Benalla Historical Society, using a grant from the Telematics trust.

A launch was held to celebrate the outstanding interactive display on Wednesday, July 29 at the Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre (BPACC). In attendance was Head of Campus for Benalla Jeanne Norling, Centre Manager and project coordinator Ian Poole, Brian Chandler and Robin Sadler of the Benalla Historical Society, facilitating teachers of the project Luke Surace and Emma Jones, as well as the students who completed the project.

In his opening speech, Ian Poole, Centre Manager for Art and Design students, said, "I am impressed by the collection and the professionalism shown by the volunteers at Benalla Museum. I'm so proud of the students; they have developed the concept and have chosen the stories that are displayed on the interactive kiosk. I would like to acknowledge the Telematics trust for funding the project; and thank the students, facilitating teachers Luke Surace and Emma Jones, and the Benalla Historical Society for allowing us the opportunity to undertake the project."

Ian presented Robin Saddler with the kiosk. Robin commended the students work, and said collaborating with the students; Ian, Emma and Luke "had been a great experience. The kiosk will be of great benefit to us and of interest to the people who come to the museum. It is much more than we expected and is now the most hi-tech piece of equipment located at the Museum. It will give visitors the chance to familiarise themselves with the history of Benalla, and the Benalla Museum collection in an easy to use and interactive way."

The interactive kiosk was presented to the audience by the students who undertook the project. The kiosk is used via a touch screen, with users being able to choose which news, items and areas they would like to select. The students have selected a variety of historical facts, news stories, costumes and architectural buildings to showcase on the kiosk, including International cricket games played in the mid 1900's, and the visit to Benalla by Her Majesty, the Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. The screen contains a menu with links to show specific areas and items on display in the museum, as well as items that are archived.

The students completed the interactive kiosk in approximately four months. The kiosk will now be housed in the foyer of the Benalla Museum, allowing visitors to view the history of Benalla via the kiosk.

For further information on the Interactive kiosk, or on Art and Design programs conducted by GOTAFE, please contact Ian Poole on 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233).