Let’s finish the job! A Melbourne icon ... Telling an Australian story ... Internationally significant ... Abbotsford Convent HERITAGE REINVENTED Australia’s largest creative cluster. A compelling cultural site. Welcoming to all. A beautiful place to be. Let’s finish the job! Let’s finish the job! CONTENTS MORE ABOUT ... AT A GLANCE 3 (1): THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT’S SUPPORTERS 62 The Request for Support to Finish the Job 4 (2): COMPARATIVE DATA OF VICTORIAN CULTURAL INTRODUCTION 5 TOURISM SITES 64 FROM THE CHAIR 6 (3): ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 65 THE INVESTMENT CASE 8 (4): WORK REQUIRED TO ENCOURAGE NON-CAR TRAVEL 67 Overview of Outcomes 8 (5): WORKS REQUIRED TO FINISH THE JOB 67 The Critical Need 9 (6): THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT’S MARKETS 70 The Convent is a Valuable Community Space Providing (7): THE CONVENT SITE’S HISTORICAL TIMELINE 71 Wellbeing for the City 9 (8): ABBOTSFORD CONVENT TENANTS 75 Activating Currently Empty Spaces 11 (9): ABBOTSFORD CONVENT REGULAR VENUE HIRERS 76 The Cultural Tourism Context 11 (10): ANNUAL VISITATION TO THE CONVENT BY ELECTORATE 77 The Convent’s Rising Cultural Tourism Profile 12 (11): THE ACF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE The Cultural Tourism Plan 13 PERSONNEL AND CURRENT VOLUNTEERS 78 The Creative Cluster Context 14 (12): THE CONVENT’S ONGOING OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, BUILDING AND AMENITY WORK 80 The Convent’s Creative Cluster Opportunity 15 (13): A SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE 81 The Creative Cluster Plan 15 Why These Options were Selected 17 How the ACF will Enable Benefits 18 The ACF’s Plans Align with Public Policy 18 The Convent is Project Ready 19 A Strong Return on Investment 19 The Risks of not Finishing the Job 20 THE PUBLIC GOOD 21 THE CONVENT’S CREDENTIALS 22 THE CONVENT’S ECONOMIC CREDENTIALS 22 THE CONVENT’S CULTURAL CREDENTIALS 24 Heritage – Telling an Australian Story 25 International Relationships 28 A Case Study – c3 Contemporary Art Space 29 THE CONVENT’S CREATIVE CLUSTER CREDENTIALS 30 Tenancy 30 A Location for Strategic Planning, Learning and Team-Building 32 A Creative Cluster for the Wider Creative Community 53 Providing Spaces for the Film and Television Industry 54 THE CONVENT’S SOCIAL CREDENTIALS 55 A Social Enterprise Showcase 57 Community and Corporate Volunteering 58 RESTORATION, MAINTENANCE, DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY 60 THE RESURRECTION OF THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT 61 EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY 83 2 THE INVESTMENT CASE Let’s finish the job! At a Glance The Convent is a big place with many friends and thousands of outcomes. It is also a massive community project with huge plans. That is why this is a large document. Please pop it into your backpack, handbag, next to your favourite reading chair, or even into your hand luggage. Then, when you find yourself with some quiet time, let it reveal itself to you! This document aims to do four things: It gives the Abbotsford Convent Foundation (ACF) – the body that owns the Convent on behalf of the public – its first opportunity to bring together the whole story to CELEBRATE THE BENEFITS of the Convent. For more details about the advantages of activity at the Abbotsford Convent, please go to the sections outlining the Convent’s economic, cultural and social credentials (from page 22). This document also contains many quotes from community members and leaders from a range of sectors highlighting the Convent’s benefits from an external perspective. As the Convent is a work in progress, this document seeks to SHOW PROGRESS, outlining what has already been done. Please see the last decade’s work in the Convent’s timeline in the ‘More About’ (7) – page 71. Importantly, in the ‘Investment Case’ (page 8), you will find what work still needs to be done and what – based on community consultation – the ACF plans to do with the currently empty spaces. We continue to seek input about these plans and hope you will get in touch to tell us what you think (see the ACF’s contact details on the back page). This document is also a REQUEST FOR SUPPORT to FINISH THE JOB, representing a funding application and an appeal to everyone. You can make a difference, no matter how big or small. Please turn the page for more detail about the request and go to the ‘Investment Case’ to see how your support will help the wider community. For more detail about costs, see over the page and also go to the ‘More About’ (5) – page 67. Lastly, it is a THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved in supporting the Convent. You may see your own name, or your organisations name in the ‘More About’ sections thanking supporters, volunteers and those who have informed these plans. Your name may also appear as a tenant or a venue hirer, who, as Convent users, are key to the Convent’s sustainability. Thank you all! We are excited to share the contents of this publication with you and we hope you enjoy learning more about this special place. Maggie Maguire Chief Executive Officer Abbotsford Convent Foundation 3 AT A GLANCE Let’s finish the job! At a Glance (continued) The Request for Support to Finish the Job Over the coming six years, the Abbotsford Convent annual restoration program. Based on this income alone, Foundation (ACF) requires $18 million to secure the it is estimated that it will take close to half a century to raise Convent’s heritage architecture, to improve universal the $18 million required to finish the job. For the severely access and to make the outdoor landscape safe and amenable. degraded buildings, this is untenable. To achieve this, the ACF is seeking public and private Finishing the site will enable the leasing of new spaces, sector partners for the site’s final phase of restoration. One generating enough revenue to create a Sinking Fund. This philanthropist has already pledged $2 million, contingent will ensure the ACF can maintain the site into perpetuity on significant government co-investment being secured. and not require further public funds. A six-year building program means that funds can be Exemplifying its track record in attracting a broad civic pledged now and paid over a six-year period (2015 – 2021). coalition of support (as at June 2014), the ACF has attracted The ACF requests the following amounts: $14.3 million, including: – $11 million from the Victorian Government ($7.3 million over the forward estimates – the next four years) – $7,016,557 from individuals and the philanthropic sector – $2 million from the Commonwealth Government – $4,040,030 from the Victorian Government – A further $2 million from the philanthropic sector – $2,175,000 from the Commonwealth Government and the general public and; – $1,101,100 from the City of Yarra. – $1 million from the City of Yarra. Much heavy lifting has been done. Previous support has The ACF has launched a public giving campaign and seen 60 per cent of the site’s buildings safeguarded and also welcomes business approaches for pro bono building enhanced (10,000+ square metres across seven buildings). assistance or partnership arrangements. The above numbers do not include the significant pro bono and ‘low bono’ business support the ACF receives. For a list FUNDS WILL BE USED TO COST of supporters, go to ‘More About’ (1) – page 62. Restore the Sacred Heart buildings $5,363,250 To date, the ACF has relied heavily on the support of the Restore the Magdalen Laundries $3,220,500 philanthropic sector, which has acknowledged the Convent’s Restore the Stables $637,500 myriad community and cultural benefits. They have given Restore the Industrial School $1,247,625 generously, despite a sector-wide reluctance to fund restoration projects. Conversations with the philanthropic sector reveal Restore St Anne’s $662,500 that many believe it is now time for government to acknowledge Make public amenity interventions $2,135,000 the site’s huge public benefit and support the completion of Do essential infrastructure works $600,000 its restoration. Complete the restoration of the Providence Building $340,000 The Convent needs your help now. With a strong record and growth guaranteed, there is much value in securing the Restore the final section of the Mercator Building $150,000 rest of the Convent site (see the ‘Investment Case’ on page 8 Finalise the restoration of the main Convent Building $2,550,000 for more information). Replace the Annexe roof and restore its basement $550,000 Support for this landmark site will be a powerful gesture to Further garden restoration and other outdoor works $445,000 the broader community who hold the Convent in great esteem Replace Rosina’s floors and restore the stairs $200,000 and will deliver a high-profile civic and economic legacy for generations to come. TOTAL $18,101,375 If you would like to discuss the Convent’s projects in the context For a site map showing building locations, please go to this booklet’s centre page. of your interests, or you would like to take a tour to better The work is ready to begin. Restoration costs have been understand the Convent project, please contact the office on determined with independent expertise. The first two years 03 9415 3600 or email the ACF’s Chief Executive Officer Maggie of project costs have been independently costed by quantity Maguire directly on [email protected] . surveyors. Later stage works are soon to be independently If you would like to make a donation, please go to quantity surveyed. abbotsfordconvent.com.au. All donations over $2 to The ACF is viable. It generates $2.5 million per annum to the Abbotsford Convent Foundation Arts Trust are tax support operations and maintenance and, to a lesser extent, deductible.