History of the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre 

The History page allows us to inform you, our visitors, of the origins of our organisation and the various events that contributed to it being where it is today. It will also contain a list of significant milestones in the history of the organisation since its origin.

IMPORTANT MILE STONES:

The concept of the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre owes its origins to many people in the community, some of whom are no longer with us. It has been 'talked up' in formal and informal gatherings, right across Brisbane as well as in the Park itself, by a wide range of community people over many years. Some people remember such discussions in the 1960's. The community's contribution in creating and strengthening the image/idea is what has brought us to this point.

Any attempt to list the people who have contributed to the process is certain to miss as many people who have contributed as it includes, however few would question the important role played by Pat Murdoch, former Administrator for Musgrave Park Aboriginal Corporation.

1985
First formal proposal for a Cultural Centre in Musgrave Park developed by Pat Murdoch for the Musgrave Park Aboriginal Corporation. Over the next 10 years various state and local government members made statements in support of the proposal but failed to assist in the implementation of the project.

1988
Brisbane City Council report on the Park recommended in favour of an Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

1994
Brisbane City Council commissions further community consultation as part of a conservation study into future use of Musgrave Park. Released in 1996, this study supported the Cultural Centre in the Park.
Later that year, Council unanimously approved the granting of a lease over a site for the Cultural Centre. State government refused to endorse this decision.

1996
Musgrave Park Cultural Centre Steering Committee was established as a sub-committee of MPAC. Murri Murra Aboriginal Corporation provided office space and use of a phone.

1997
Musgrave Park Cultural Centre Inc was incorporated in September. Jeanie Bell was inaugural President.

1997
The National DARE (Community Cultural Development) Conference provided a forum for exploring the problems faced by the proposal and generated support for the Centre in government and other community sectors. One month later the then Minister for Natural Resources approved the excision of land in the park for a Cultural Centre.

1998
Agreement reached for a single excision of the entire south-eastern section of the park, from the tennis courts back, including the Jagera Centre designated for "Aboriginal cultural purposes". This area to be held in trust by the Brisbane City Council, and an area within it to be leased to Musgrave Park Cultural Centre Inc. as the site for the Cultural Centre.

1999
Brisbane City Council surveyed the site and the Department of Natural Resources amended the Title documents.

2001
A 30 year lease (the head lease) was signed between Brisbane City Council and Arts Queensland. A sub-lease for the same 30 year period will shortly be signed between Musgrave Park Cultural Centre and Arts Queensland. Architects Innovarchi and Kirk have been contracted to undertake design of the new Centre. Local Aboriginal architect Carroll Go-Sam has been retained to provide support for the management of MPCC.