The Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) is asking the community for any old menus that relate to Dubbo cafes, milk bars and restaurants from the past.
In particular the WPCC is looking for menus from older businesses that might no longer be functioning, for example, Maxim’s Café that used to be located in Riverdale Mall, the Trocadero Café located at 109 Talbragar Street, or Sorfies Milk Bar, located at 25 Talbragar Street.
“We would also be interested in other related items such as photographs of Dubbo’s cafes and restaurants, advertising posters or flyers,” Dubbo Regional Council Local Studies Officer, Simone Taylor said.
“Despite their importance in our communities, social and business life, our collection does not hold many items related to the history of our cafes, restaurants, milk bars and the like.”
“As many of these businesses were and still are operated by migrant families, it provides a window into the diverse migrant groups who have made Dubbo their home over the decades.”
These items will become part of a small exhibition as part of the Western Plains Cultural Centre’s ‘From the Vault’ Series.
The exhibition will focus on the 20th century with the focus on items from the 1920s through to the 1990s invited to be part of the exhibition. The exhibition will focus on the history of local cafes and restaurants, and food businesses that operated in Dubbo between the 1920s and 1990s.
Any relevant menus or items found through the public call out will be on loan for use as part of the exhibition display. Donations will also be accepted of Dubbo materials that meet our collection policies.
For more information, contact Simone Taylor, Local Studies Officer on 6801 4444 or wpcc@dubbo.nsw.gov.au.