Qantilda Museum (Waltzing Matilda Centre)

The Winton and District Historical Society have operated the Qantilda Museum since 1972. The members of the society are volunteers who donate their time to help educate people about the pioneers who built the outback. During the 28 year existence of the historical society a huge collection of outback memorabilia and artworks have been accumulated, documented and set out in such a way as to educate people on the livelihood of the aboriginal inhabitants and, the livelihood of the districts settlers and their descendants. A reading room, which is frequently updated, provides an immense collection of reading material that the visitors can peruse at their leisure. The material includes such topics as: Waltzing Matilda, QANTAS, pastoral properties, family history, Viscount crash, transport, war service, recreation, government, education and Winton history. Many events that occurred in Winton have contributed to the development of the Qantilda Museum. As well as being the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda, it is also the birthplace of QANTAS. The shearer's strikes of the 1890's which led to eight shearing sheds being burned down by angry unionists are also of great importance, as these are events which inspired Banjo Paterson to write Waltzing Matilda, It is also the birthplace of QANTAS. The shearer's strikes of the 1890's which led to eight shearing sheds being burned down by angry unionists are also of great importance, as these are events which inspired Banjo Paterson to write Waltzing Matilda, our unofficial national anthem.