THE Department of Corrective Services museum in Cooma has a new attraction after a member of the community built and donated a replica cannon for the museum.

Dave Jordon has spent the last four months creating a replica of a 12-pound saracen cannon, which was used on board the transport ships to Australia in the 1700s.

Last Wednesday the cannon was informally handed over to statewide manager of museums Les Strzelecki and assistance commissioner south west region John Dunthorne at the museum.

Mr Strzelecki said he grateful that someone in the community had dedicated so much time and benefit for the benefit of the museum.

"This gift is a fantastic gesture and will take pride of place at the entrance to the museum," Mr Strzelecki said.

"Thanks to Dave's enthusiasm and ability to manufacture these fine replicas, the themes at the museum will be more interesting.

"It's good to see the local community support us, it's a testament that the museum is a place of interest for local people and all visitors alike," he said.

The idea to build a replica cannon came about after Mr Gordan and Mr Strzelecki discussed the 'deck of ship on the voyage of first fleet' theme, and the hassles associated with getting a real cannon.

It was then that Mr Jordon decided to make the replica, at no cost to the Department of Correctional Services, and with the help of friends Graeme Crundwell, Frank Rodwell, Peter McKinley and Mick Linsen, and from businesses 3M paint shop, Fishers Tools, Bracher Timbers and Crowe Engineering, managed to construct the replica over winter.