THE “dream” museum of sailing legend Rolly Tasker is closing its doors after just five years.
His devastated widow, Kerry Tasker will shut the doors of the Australian Sailing Museum next week because “there had not been enough interest”.
“Mandurah doesn’t know what it has lost,” Ms Tasker said.
Mr Tasker, who died last year aged 86, had known the museum wasn’t garnering enough interest and had agreed it might have to close, she said.
Mr Tasker’s keen love of sailing began at the age of 10 and at 12 he had already built his first boat. He continued to design and build, adding many models to his collection.
The sailing museum exhibits these models as well as gilt-framed artworks and sailing paraphernalia.
The museum also houses the Olympic plate that was given to Mr Tasker after his victory at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, which saw him win Australia’s first ever gold medal for sailing.
Ms Tasker said some of the collection would be divided between the Fremantle Maritime Museum and the Museum of Western Australia.
An auction will be held from 9am on Sunday, April 14 to sell the remaining items to the highest bidder. Sailing Olympiads Tessa Parkinson and Kate Lathouras will be there to sign copies of Mr Tasker’s biography.
The museum will be open for public viewing on April 12 and 13 from 11am-4pm.