2009 Museum Wins Major Inaugural Award

The Abbey Museum won the first Australia Day Community Events award given by the Moreton Bay Regional Council for our Abbey Medieval Festival.  The prestigious award was presented to the Festival Coordinator, Ms Edith Cuffe, by the Mayor of MBRC, Mr Alan Sutherland to applause from the thousand-odd assembled guests.

Pictured are Suesann Vos, Marketing Manager, Edith Cuffe, CEO and Michael Strong, Director 

2009 Finished at Last!

In January staff, donors, friends and conservators gathered to witness the installation of the first stained glass returned from conservation.  The early 16th God the Father , window, preserved through the generosity of Robin Czechura, glowed like an Flemish Old Master oil painting.  Conservation has removed unsightly leads, relocated a missing marble column that framed the Creator, and established that the magnificent bearded head of God was a later addition.  The 16th century Coronation of the Virgin, preserved through the generous donations from Len Watson, looked jewel like as it was carefully placed in situ.  Two new windows, a Head of Christ by John Hardman & Co (1860) and a 17th century Dominican panel of SS Dominic and Catherine of Siena, have been removed and are currently with the conservators, Gerry Cummins and Jill Stehn, at their Eumundi laboratory.

2009: Winchester Cathedral Loses a Friend

It is with great regret the Museum learned of the sudden death of Michael Calle on 18 January 2009.  Michael Calle visited the Abbey Museum in 2004 with his wife, Mary Calle, author of a new book on Winchester Cathedral’s famous medieval glass.  In 2008, Michael Strong and Edith Cuffe were guests of the Calles at Winchester Cathedral.  Michael Calle conducted a tour of the cathedral’s wonderful misericords, having published the first major study on these remarkable medieval carvings in 2000 in the Winchester Cathedral Record.  The Calles have been instrumental in promoting the Abbey Museum at the Cathedral and guides there now routinely mention the ‘Caboolture Connection’.

2008: A Ute for archaeology!

The Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund has provided $28,889 to the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology to purchase a Toyota Utility truck and trailer to travel our educational programs, and assist with the day to day needs of the Museum and Abbey Medieval Festival.

A very successful tour featuring an archaeological dig was undertaken of western Queensland towns and there was a wonderful response to the program.

2008: Indiana Jones Archaeology Fun Day celebrates National Archaeology Week and Museum Day

A wonderful day of fun and educational activities attracted over 300 people to the Abbey Museum on Friday and Saturday, 23 & 24 May 2008.

Highlights included stone tool making workshops with Dr Mark Moore (University of New England); a display of Jordanian pottery from Pella presented by Natalie Franklin, rock climbing, making prehistoric pinch pots, a mini Olympics for kids, and shield painting.  An evening archaeological dig in the Museum’s exciting New Kingdom Egyptian tomb site was greatly enjoyed by the dozen or so adults who took part.

2008: 15th century window almost completed conservation

Conservators Gerry Cummins and Jill Steyn have almost completed conservation of a fabulous late 15th early 16th century stained glass window GOD THE FATHER. The priceless window is believed to come from the former Charterhouse of St Barbara at Cologne, sacked by French troops in 1793. There is a sister window, featuring the Prior Peter Blommeveen in the Worcester Art Museum, Mass. USA.

A substantial donation in response to the Abbey Museum’s desperate pleas for assistance to conserve this nationally significant collection (See Help Save Our Stained Glass) has enabled this glorious panel to be restored.

2008: Major bequest to the Museum

A major bequest of $40,000 has been left to the Museum.  Further details will be posted once the bequest has been finalised. It will be used as a seed fund towards construction of the new Art Gallery.

2007: Abbey Museum features on ABC The Collectors

The Abbey Museum’s collections of stained glass feature on the very popular Friday night program, The Collectors.  ABC producer Jackie O’ Toole and presenter Nicole Warren spent two days filming the wonderful Winchester Cathedral stained glass.

2005: Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards 2005

Edith Cuffe, on behalf of the Abbey Museum, received a Special Commendation in the Queensland Teachers Credit Union Educational Initiative Award category of the GAMA Awards. Margaret Birtley (left), CEO of Collections Council of Australia, presented the prestigious award at a special function at the Queensland Art Gallery.

2004:  Premier presents cheque to Museum

The Premier of Queensland, the Hon. Peter Beattie, presented $7,100 to the Abbey Museum on behalf of Queensland Events Regional Development Program.

The Premier warded off medieval knights, asking for more money, with a smile.