Dream becomes $1.7m reality at museum

Work has started on the $1.7m Abbey Museum Art Gallery and Café extension which will display artifacts never seen before at the Caboolture attraction.

Construction includes an additional $400,000 of infrastructure upgrades for the Abbey Medieval Festival, the southern hemisphere’s largest medieval event which attracts 25,000 visitors a year.

The extension's first sod was turned by State Member for Pumicestone Ali King and Chair of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology Edith Cuffe.

It is due for completion in June 2024 with the gallery and café opening in September or October, Ms Cuffe said.

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“The Queensland Government’s commitment will allow our long-held dream of expanding the Abbey Museum Art Gallery and building a café to become a reality,” Ms Cuffe said.

“It will strengthen the museum’s ability to be a vibrant cultural centre in South-East Queensland and display items you would have to travel overseas to see.

“The funding also gives us the opportunity to install much-needed infrastructure on the Abbey Medieval Festival site, enhancing the festival’s capacity to grow and develop and allowing us to host additional world-class events.”

Ms Cuffe said the extension was first discussed in 1986, when the museum opened and fundraising will continue “over the next eight to 10 months”.

Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism CEO Tash Wheeler said the $2.1m Abbey upgrade will bring even more interstate and international visitors to the region.

“More visitors mean more jobs and opportunities for Moreton Bay accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes and tourism operators,” Tash said.

“The Abbey Museum and Medieval Festival give patrons the opportunity to step back in time and celebrate the pageantry, excitement, colour, sounds, and drama of the Middle Ages.

"The Abbey Museum’s curriculum-based education program also allows thousands of students to explore 500,000 years of history.”