The Rochester Sports Museum is a Rochester Lions Club Centenary Project which has made its home in the Rochester Railway Station.

Rochester Sports Museum is a nostalgic journey through the recent sporting past. This was an era when athletes were mostly amateur, and a good bloke, like John Forbes, could make a big difference to sport by just being generous and committed. 

John Forbes OAM KStJ, a local Mitiamo man, loved nothing more than a good yarn and making a new mate. He had a diverse career, from being local sheep farmer to being National Promotions Manager at PUMA Australia for 22 years from 1985. 

In his role at PUMA, John amassed a massive sports memorabilia collection which mainly consists of personalised mementoes of his encounters with famous (and not yet so famous) sports people. 

At PUMA John was tasked with promoting PUMA sportswear – usually through the provision of PUMA shoes, uniforms and training gear to sportspeople.

A key part of his job was to identify talent to ‘come on the books’ for PUMA. This is where John excelled, identifying and supporting the talent of the likes of Shane Warne, Merv Hughes, Wayne Carroll and Melinda Gainsford Taylor. 

He also built strong relationships with major sporting clubs. John was in awe of the sports people he met. He respected their skills, achievements and commitment to their craft. He felt a personal connection with every sportsperson (and every other human) he has ever met. 

John’s mementoes of his time at PUMA make up the core of this display, but we also share artefacts from other Australian and local sporting stories.

 In our theatrette John shares key stories from his time at PUMA including the one about Merv’s Hughes’ moustache.

Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
School Holidays
Public Holidays
Or by Appointment 

Group Bookings welcome
Times:10am to 4.00pm
Or by arrangement

Cost $5.00 per person over 18 – For ticket purchasing please click

Address: 22-26 Moore Street, Rochester  3561 Victoria

Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/rochestersportsmuseum/
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Web: sportsmuseum.com.au