Historic campaign: Museum trying to save Kandos Cement kiln that built the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Number-five kiln at Kandos Cement made the cement that made the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

When the plant closed in 2011 the mid-section of the kiln was salvaged as a spare part by Sibelco and taken to their lime plant at Charbon, which is now also closed.

The museum would like to add it to their collection to showcase the link between the small town and the bridge which has become known worldwide as a icon of Australia.

However attempts to obtain the piece have been unsuccessful, because the company is selling its Australian assets and isn't in a position to make a deal. 

So now they're turning to people-power to try and move the 34-ton piece of equipment.

The museum have launched a Change.org petition and are calling on the public to ask local members of parliament - both state and federal - to add their weight to their efforts.

After about 24 hours of being online the petition had already received over 150 signatures.

Kandos Museum president, Buzz Sanderson, said that the kiln played a vital role in building of Sydney and the nation and needs to be preserved.

"We were talking about what would be the 10 iconic structures around the world and the Sydney Harbour Bridge would be in it. And this is what built it," he said.

"I'll put it this way, if this was the wire-drawing machine that made the Golden Gate Bridge the people of San Francisco would be doing something, as would the government in Sacramento and the Smithsonian," Mr Sanderson said. "Our ambition is to secure it, get it back to Kandos and get it on display."

He added that it's the "tangibility" of such a piece that would make it special as a museum exhibit.

"It is what made the Sydney Harbour Bridge rather than just photographs of what made it," he said. "It has that tangibility to it and I think that's something of growing importance for museums and libraries.

"If you want to know what a thermometer is you don't go to a museum - you go to Google - it's not the information, it's the story and the tangibility that keeps a library or museum going, you can walk around it and sit in it."

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A Sibelco spokesperson said that the company would be prepared to give the piece to the museum, but all of its assets are tied up in the sale process.

"Sibelco appreciate the Kandos Museum and the interest they have in acquiring the old Cement Plant number-five Kiln," the spokesperson said.

"As was explained to the museum president, under normal circumstances Sibelco would be happy to consider a donation.

"However, Sibelco recently entered into an agreement to sell its Australian lime and limestone assets, including the Charbon plant, to Canadian company Graymont.

"At the appropriate time, once closing conditions are met, Graymont will need to assess if the part is still required to operate the Charbon plant in the future, or if it can be donated to the museum."

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