The State Government announced recently that it would be funding an art gallery and new cafe for the iconic museum, together with new stands and seating for the site, which hosts the Abbey Medieval Festival. Moreton Bay Council will also be putting in $200,000, plus a grant of $300,000 to be allocated over two years.
Mayor of Moreton Bay Peter Flannery said the museum was a major drawcard that had been hit hard during Covid-19, when the festival was unable to be held. He added:
“The Abbey Museum has grown into one of the biggest tourism drawcards to the Moreton Bay region with more than 30,000 visitors attending the medieval festival each year and attracting roughly 14,000 overnight visitors.”
Flannery said the funding, which included $300,000 to cover the venue's operating costs until 2024, will ensure the festival and the museum can thrive once again.
Much-anticipated events such as the festival have often been the focus of major poster printing campaigns within the region.
The support by all levels of government has been welcomed by Edith Cuffe, Museum Director, who said that following two years of not being able to stage the festival due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the funding was a real blessing and would mark the start of a much better time ahead.