“The Ballarat sub-branch is excited about the opportunity to finally find a permanent place to continue its welfare and veteran support work in the Ballarat community,” Ms Tascas said.

She said the sub-branch was now in the process of cataloguing the military museum, which included memorabilia dating back to World War I. She said the items would be placed in storage, with some of the pieces being put on display at The George Hotel after the move.

A working group had been formed, she said, to discuss options for the memorabilia, including setting up a museum. “The group will look at which items are of national significance, which items are of state significance and which have local significance. Once those items are catalogued, they will be placed in storage until a decision is made,” Ms Tascas said.