Mission Museum relocation

Posted by LLL

Date posted: 14 Oct 2019

New location for PNG artefacts.

by Timothy Pietsch.

Wantok Place is a museum of Papua New Guinea (PNG) artefacts. The collection is owned by the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) and the museum is under the oversight of LCA International Mission.

From 1998 to 2018, the museum was housed in Hahndorf where it was called Louise Flierl Mission Museum. Louise Flierl served with her husband, Johann Flierl, in pioneering missionary work in PNG for 42 years.

The museum was named to honour her and all women who served in mission overseas. The museum contains items that were acquired by Australian Lutheran missionaries and visitors to PNG. A few objects on display are from other South-East Asia partner churches.

In 2018, the museum was relocated with a new layout and a new name adjacent to the LLL building in North Adelaide, and it re-opened in June 2019. The generosity of the LLL is gratefully acknowledged for assisting with refurbishment costs and providing the space rent-free.

The new museum site was officially opened and dedicated by LCA Bishop Rev John Henderson on the 16 June 2019.

The museum has about 1,000 artefacts and photographs on display, reflecting the culture and customs of the people of Papua New Guinea, before and since the coming of Christianity.

The artefacts include bows, arrows, shields, spears, daggers, sorcery and magic bundles, bullroarers, flutes, masks, tools, clothing and jewellery, pots, drums, conch shells, bilums (woven bags), storyboards and much more. Some items in the collection have a significant cultural and financial value.

Wantok Place is located at 175A Archer Street, North Adelaide, SA, and is open to the public on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm. Private tours are available by appointment. For more information, email wantokplace@lca.org.au or phone Timothy Pietsch, Manager of Wantok Place, on 08 8267 7410.

Visit: Wantok Place