Brisbane Old Museum restoration $20 million closer thanks to mystery donation

A $20m funding boost from a mysterious international donor could be the start of major restoration work for one of Brisbane’s grandest old buildings.

Queensland Youth Orchestra conductor and director of music Simon Hewett. Picture: Jerad Williams

A gift of $20 million from a mysterious international donor could be the start of a major restoration for one of Queensland’s most loved buildings – The Old Museum at Bowen Hills. To help the cause the Queensland budget this week allocated $7.6 million towards the building with $1.6 million of that to go towards a business case and master planning, and the rest of the money going to maintenance over the next four years.

The Museum, a venue that promotes live performances, has been used as a film set and for all sorts of other things but primarily it is home to the acclaimed Queensland Youth Orchestras and the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a big fan of the organisation and wants to help secure QYO’s long term future in the beloved heritage venue.

QYO has trained thousands of classical musicians over the decades and is the spiritual home of classical music in Queensland and much loved.

The $20 million pledge to QYO would be money put towards a full restoration of The Old Museum.

QYO president, former Arts Minister Ian Walker, said the State Government’s business case

funding, coupled with this $20 million commitment, presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve and revitalise The Old Museum’s rich heritage.

QYO president, former Arts Minister Mr Ian Walker – Photo Steve Pohlner

“The Old Museum contains Brisbane’s first Concert Hall, in which stars like Dame Nellie Melba and Percy Grainger performed between 1891 and 1934,” Mr Walker said. “In 1899, the Exhibition Hall became home to the Queensland Museum with the museum remaining in the building until its relocation to the Queensland Cultural Centre in 1986.

“QYO has used the building for rehearsals, performances and administration since 1989, so we are also a big part of the building’s history.

“However, our vision for the restoration would make it possible for us to share these heritage spaces with all of Queensland. In addition to creating a world-class, medium-sized concert hall, a full restoration would include the construction of additional rehearsal and administrative facilities for QYO, and a re-purposing of the Exhibition Hall and basement spaces for all creative Queenslanders to use and enjoy.”

Cast and crew from a Disney production pictured on set at the Old Museum in Bowen Hills in May this year. (Image/Josh Woning)

Queensland Youth Orchestras Director of Music Simon Hewett sees the pledge as an

acknowledgment of the extraordinary role QYO has played in the training of young Queensland musicians since 1966.

“QYO has been training musicians to a world-class standard for generations, and our top orchestra, the Queensland Youth Symphony, is one of the best youth orchestras in the world,” Mr Hewett said.

“A restored Old Museum will be an investment in the future of music education in Queensland, allowing us to enhance and expand our programs, and offer even more young musicians access to the fulfilment that great musical experiences provide.”

Queensland Youth Orchestra guest conductor Sean O'Boyle and Tim Freedman from The Whitlams at rehearsals back in 2004

Unlike Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is yet to have a medium-sized, public concert hall with the capacity to house a symphony orchestra.

Mr Walker said a revitalised Old Museum would be of incomparable value to the many orchestras, choirs, ensembles, chamber music groups, schools and community groups for whom the QPAC Concert Hall is too big and too expensive to hire.

“As Brisbane looks to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, if we want to assume an identity as a truly global city, it is critical to invest in our cultural infrastructure,” Mr Walker said.

“The $20 million pledge to QYO, and the funding of the business case by the State Government, offers an exciting opportunity for us all to reimagine how The Old Museum can continue to serve

QYO, and the rest of Queensland, well into the future.”