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From: Alan Brooks (also a visitor from UK)
Date: 6/5/2001
Time: 12:41:15 PM
Remote Name: 203.202.98.213
I, too, recently visited the Gympie Light Horse display at the Gold Mining Museum and heartily endorse comments made by the previous visitor about the replica Hotchkiss Machine gun being passed off as the genuine article. I noted there is a Patchett machine gun replica (labelled as such) and with the aid of the information on its label and talking to the maker , a Mr. Lloyd McCarthy, who I was able to contact after some searching, I was also shown a replica Browning Machine gun he had made which is in the Gympie RSL Club. He is obviously a highly skilled fitter and turner and verey much into restoring Military vehicles. I also found out that the earlier advertised displays of other weaponry, including a Vickers Machine Gun, Bren Gun, Thompson Sub-machine Gun and a replica Uzi Machine Gun and other items which were obtained from a NSW Collector were the subject of an interstate Police investigation some time ago and they were all confiscated and returned to the owner. I heartily concur with the comment that the place needs a clean up and it is understood that since the former honorary curator departed no one looks after it. A pity as there are quite a few good items on display and it is sad to see rust on historic swords due to neglect. Sad but true. Hopefully something will be done.