MILDURA Holden Motor Museum manager Kayleen Morello said it was a shock to hear about the axing of Holden.
It was announced on Monday the iconic Australian car brand would be retired at the end of this year.
“They’d put in so much time and effort in rebranding and backing the brand up since they went offshore,” Mrs Morello said.
“Then it was just like all of a sudden, bang — gone.”
The museum opened three-and-half years ago when it was announced Holden would no longer be manufactured in Australia.
Since then, car enthusiasts from far and wide have visited to admire the museum.
Mrs Morello said the museum would remain committed to showing its collection.
“It’s really up to us now to preserve what is still around,” she said.
“I would’ve thought that sentimental attachment would still be there and probably a little bit more so now that it’s gone.
“We have to hold on to what we’ve got and I think it’s up to us and the various museums around to really preserve what we’ve got.”
Mrs Morello said at this point she was unsure what would happen in regard to Holden merchandise and whether the museum would be able to keep stocking it.
“That will all stop, I would’ve thought,” she said.
But what will not stop is passion for the Holden brand.
Mrs Morello said it was unlikely people would forget about its axing quickly.
“I think it will be a hot topic for the next six months because it’s sad that we’ve lost it,” she said.
“Holden is just so Australian, it’s like meat pies and kangaroos and football.”
