As a result, upon retirement in 2003, John & Else Meyers purchased a heritage listed building in the heart of Maryborough's historic Wharf Street and commenced a museum known as the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum. Nowadays, with the assistance of 100+ volunteers, this museum is open to the public seven days a week and in 2013 had nearly 10000 visitors.
One of the strong points of the collection is the Gallipoli Room which houses original medals and memorabilia representing more than 80 soldiers for gallantry. This is a world record, as no other museum can equal this representation. Also, it represents more than 50 officers, mostly Australian, who died as a result of service on Gallipoli and this again is a world record.
The museum contribution towards the commemoration of the centenary of WWI is an extension to the Gallipoli Room and will house additional medals and memorabilia that have been acquired since the original display was unveiled in 2010.
In 2013, John Meyers was awarded an Order of Australia Medal 'for service to the community, particularly through the exhibition and researching of military history'.
