A NEW display at the Mansfield Visitor Information Centre is celebrating 40 years since filming of The Man From Snowy River started in Mansfield.

Mansfield Shire Council chief executive officer Kaylene Conrick welcomed the opportunity to showcase the local connection to the film and thanked the Mansfield Historical Society for putting the display together.

“Craig’s Hut is one of Australia’s most iconic and recognisable places still to this day, thanks to The Man From Snowy River film,” Ms Conrick said.

“A large percentage of the visitor service enquiries and google searches on the High Country are about Craig’s Hut and other locations like The Bluff, so it’s fitting that we celebrate the huge contribution this film has made to tourism in Mansfield Shire.”

Mansfield Historical Society secretary, Sue Gardner, said the display has been 12 months in the making, after the donation of an original oilskin coat and hat worn by film extra James Kemp inspired the local community group to find a home for the artefacts.

“We’re really excited to have the display at the Mansfield Visitor Information Centre,” Ms Gardner said.

“Early 2021 marks 40 years since the commencement of filming here in Mansfield and we wanted to create a display for residents and visitors to celebrate,” she said.

The display includes original movie posters and images.

It also includes saddles from the era; one belonging to Sir Reginald Barnewall, formerly of Wonnangatta Station and a side saddle donated by the Adelberg family.

The Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm.