The Cobb+Co Museum reopened on 4 September.
Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh was joined by Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine and representatives of the Toowoomba community to officially open the new $8 million National Carriage Factory at the city’s Cobb+Co Museum.
Premier Bligh said the Queensland Government’s investment was complimented by nearly $2 million raised by a local community campaign through cash donations and in-kind support.
“Building the National Carriage Factory was a real team effort that will ensure Queensland’s traditional heritage skills and trades are carried on into the future,” Ms Bligh said.
“The local Member Kerry Shine was instrumental in seeing this project come to fruition and was its most constant and persistent advocate.
“Kerry made regular representations to me about the economic value and job opportunities and also the historical significance a project like this could bring to Toowoomba.
“Housed within the Cobb+Co Museum, the factory will serve as Queensland’s first nationally accredited training facility for trades that are in danger of being lost not only to Australia, but also internationally, such as blacksmithing, lead-lighting and leather work.
“It’s very important we preserve these skills, but at the same time this new development will create jobs – 11 new positions to operate the facility – and many more jobs in the local tourism and hospitality sectors.
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said the Cobb+Co Museum expansion was a key infrastructure development for the Toowoomba region and he was pleased to see it finished.
“The Cobb+Co Museum is already a great tourist destination and now through the addition of the Factory I expect it to become a major cultural tourist attraction for the Toowoomba region,” Mr Shine said.
“It will also provide a major stimulus to the regional economy through job creation.
“I’d like to congratulate the Queensland Museum Foundation and the National Carriage Factory Fundraising committee who raised nearly $2 million in funds and in-kind support from more than 130 individuals, organisations and community groups.
“With their hard work the redevelopment has become a reality and almost doubled the size of the Museum.
The Museum features a purpose-built, open plan factory for workshops with accredited heritage training programs in specialties such as heritage building, blacksmithing, silversmithing, and equine trades, catering for secondary school traineeships through to adult learners.
“The National Carriage Factory development features new exhibition spaces, an in-house line of quality hand-crafted products for sale, and facilities for community use including a volunteer workshop for retired tradespeople to interact with visitors and mentor young trainees,” Mr Shine said.
The Cobb+Co Museum development was also supported by the Board of the Queensland Museum, Department of Education and Training, Q150 Community Legacy Infrastructure Program and the local community.
Thanks to Toowoomba Regional Council, entry to the Museum is free to all council residents on presentation of proof of address.
The Cobb+Co Museum is part of the Queensland Museum.
Cobb+Co Museum 27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba, Queensland Australia +61 (0) 7 4659 4900
www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au