History of the IOV to Date
The Insectarium of Victoria and the Victorian Institute of Invertebrate Sciences (IOV / VIIS) was the ingenious idea of Bert Candusio and supported by his wife Amanda and family, the facility opened at Heathcote on 24th September 1993.
Their vision was to provide a new facility in Victoria for the study of insects and related invertebrates. Over the next few years, the IOV / VIIS developed into an important resource for students undertaking entomological studies. The centre also began to encourage visits by members of the public to see and learn about these fascinating animals. By July 1998, the Insectarium of Victoria had seen over 15,000 students and 8,000 people pass through its doors.
In November 1998, the Insectarium of Victoria began searching for larger premises to help cater for the increase in visits and was eventually relocated to Woodend in the Macedon Ranges. The new facility provided larger exhibition space in a more centralized location for visitors throughout Victoria. In 2006 Bert sold the Insectarium to pursue the development of a telescope facility and the Insectarium moved to its present home. The Insectarium of Victoria now permanently resides at Woodend and continues to provide its visitors with a valuable and unique insight into the fascinating world of insects and invertebrates.
Today, the Insectarium of Victoria has expanded its exhibitions to become the largest private insect and related invertebrate educational science centre in Australia. Its ongoing charter is to foster, without fear or favor, an awareness and understanding of the crucial role insects, spiders and other related invertebrates play in our environment through research, education and a quality visitor experience.
Numerous exhibits offer our visitors a wonderful opportunity to closely observe living insects and invertebrates in their natural habitats. Live exhibits are interspersed, so visitors can view both living and preserved specimens side by side. There are live plague locusts, stick insects, ants, spiders, cockroaches, scorpions, native bees, and European bees. Our specially trained interpreters are always on hand to ensure that everyone enjoys their visit to the utmost and it is our reputation for providing a quality educational experience that keeps our visitors coming back..
The Insectarium is unique to Victoria (and in fact Australia). It is the only facility of its kind in Australia and stands with the Insectarium of Montreal in Quebec, the Newfoundland Insectarium in Eastern Canada, the Insectarium in Philadelphia, USA, the Monsanto Insectarium in St Louis, and the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans, USA. In addition to the exhibits, the Insectarium is located on 55 acres of land on which there is a walk around the property and along the Campaspe River, which features native insects as well as an abundance of other wildlife. The facility has a gift shop, ample parking for large groups and tour buses, and is easily accessible for the handicapped .