By LIAM DURKIN
THE legacy of late Trafalgar Holden Museum legend, Neil Joiner has been enshrined.
Mr Joiner was honoured at a special dedication last Thursday, with the unveiling of the Neil Joiner Holden Heritage Centre.
The centre is the latest addition in the museum’s impressive collection detailing the full history of Holden.
Full history is no understatement, with the two-story extension taking in everything and anything manufactured, influenced or even remotely connected with Holden.
At ground level lies a litany of Holden Special Vehicles (HSVs), all immaculately presented, while upstairs, visitors can see first-hand just how many products Holden once created.
Holden saddlery, Holden kitchen appliances, and even Holden golf clubs are just some of the items on display.
Standout exhibits include a signed tribute to racing legend Peter Brock, and a wall with the portraits of every General Motors Holden head honcho.
Trafalgar Holden Museum volunteers gathered to pay tribute to Mr Joiner, who was virtually the face of the museum until his death age 75 last year.
Mr Joiner established the museum in 2014, transforming what was a disused tractor dealership on Waterloo Road.
What started as a relatively small exhibit grew year-on-year, and Trafalgar is now home to the biggest Holden collection in the state.
Holden royalty turned out for the occasion, including the company’s general manager marketing after sale and motor sport, Chris Payne.
Mr Payne relayed a funny story involving Mr Joiner, who was told he could “take whatever he wanted” from the company’s Dandenong depot for display in the museum.
Mr Joiner took Holden at their word, and duly arrived with a truck and some eight museum volunteers to help load.
State Minister for tourism, Steve Dimopoulos was on hand to cut the ribbon in Trafalgar, alongside Mr Joiner’s daughter, Anne Schembri, Trafalgar Holden Museum President Jenny Middleton, and museum volunteer, Bill Maroney, who oversaw the extension as project manager.
The project was more than four years in the making, following a stringent tourism grant application through the state government, masterminded by Trafalgar local and fellow museum volunteer, Mick Bourke OAM.
The project also received significant backing from Community Bank Trafalgar and District.
Mr Dimopoulos sported a Holden jacket for the occasion, noting the 10,000-strong annual visitation the museum enjoys.
Ms Middleton explained the origins of the project, after GMH phoned Mr Joiner asking if
Trafalgar could house some of their cars.
“That’s the moment we realised we were going to need a bigger shed,” she said.
“Anyone who knew Neil would understand just how fitting this space is.
“If it had a Holden motor, or even just a GMH label, Neil had to have it. From classic cars, to concrete mixers, if it was a Holden, it belonged to him.
“His enthusiasm was infectious; today we celebrate not just a building, but the legacy and vision of a man who brought people and passion together.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms Schembri took the opportunity to thank all who had made the project possible.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each and every one of you,” she said.
“We are so excited for everyone to come and see this new display. Walking through it, I can imagine the huge smile on dad’s face if he were here.
“I know he’d be incredibly proud of what we all accomplished together.
Mr Joiner was posthumously named Trafalgar’s Citizen of the Year for 2024.
Fittingly, the Neil Joiner Holden Heritage Centre was completed in time for the one-year anniversary of his death.
His daughter is set to continue his Holden legacy, currently serving as the museum’s secretary.
The Trafalgar Holden Museum is located at 74 Waterloo Road, Trafalgar, and is open every day from 10am.
Right this way: Victorian Tourism Minister, Steve Dimopoulos is shown the new addition to the Trafalgar Holden Museum by Bill Maroney.
