When Allen F. Johnstone, his wife Krystyna and their three daughters moved from Australia to America, they brought Australia with them.
“Most Americans want to go to Australia, but find it unlikely because of cost and distance-so why not take Australia to America?” Johnstone said.
It took three years to plan and research where in America they would locate Johnstone’s Fair Dinkum (authentic) Australian Exhibition. The Johnstones researched cities from coast to coast and settled on the Midwest-Muncie, to be exact-because the area had the space they needed and was within driving range of large population centers.
“The museum is within a day’s drive for 63 million people around the Midwest,” Johnstone said, making “Australia only a drive away.”
Negotiating with the city’s tourism bureau and the Chamber of Commerce, the Johnstones acquired an empty five-story former furniture store building in downtown Muncie. They converted the 45,000 square feet of space and installed down under displays.
Johnstone, whose family lives in the penthouse of the building, made trips back to Australia to gain support from various Australian industries that submitted various items for the Fair Dinkum.
“The museum will never be finished,” says Johnstone, “as we will change displays whenever new items arrive.”
Greeted with a “G’day, Mate” inside the building, the visitor arrives at the port of entry where a $5 adult admission fee is collected and a “passport” issued. (Children 4 to 12 are $1.50; under 3 are free.) Then a guide-one of 40 employees-orients visitors with a brief history of the island continent.
Most Americans know about some of the Australian animals-especially the kangaroo, “of which,” the guide relates, “there are four to every person,” and the koala.
The most difficult display to maintain is the Coral Reef aquarium, which demands constant care. The fish it contains are the only live animals on display.
Five floors of displays, an off-street cafe and a gift shop are included in the complex where clocks are set to Australian time.
For a change from their Midwestern diet, visitors can dine at the Bushtucker (tucker means food), a cafe serving Australian meals such as chips and cheese, pasty and Dundee (gator steak).
Fair Dinkum Australian Exhibition, 301 S. Walnut St., Muncie, Ind., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday). The cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 317-287-1262.
Beginning this year, the museum will be host to an Aussie buffet dinner with Australian entertainment twice a month; scheduled dates are this Saturday, Feb. 26 (country show) and April 9 and 30; call for information on additional dates. Cost: $24.95.
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The exhibition building is wheelchair accessible with ramps and special toilet facilities.
