En 2004, la Coalición del Convento de Abbotsford luchó por salvar el convento de la reurbanización comercial y ganó.
This mighty movement was marked by the Foundation being handed the keys to the Convent by the Victorian Government, providing the community with a lugar especial para celebrar las artes, la cultura y el aprendizaje.
20 years later, Abbotsford Convent remains a prominent pillar of curiosity and collaboration, meeting and meaning. The heart of a creative community. Memories are created here. Moments are celebrated here. Momentum is harnessed here.
The story so far
In 1997, un importante promotor inmobiliario ganó el concurso para adquirir los terrenos sobre los que se construyó el convento de Abbotsford. Al ver los planos, los vecinos se quedaron atónitos al ver una propuesta de 289 apartamentos, que incluía la construcción de grandes edificios nuevos y la demolición de muchos edificios patrimoniales. Cinco personas se reunieron en una cocina para hablar de su consternación, y se formó la Coalición del Convento de Abbotsford. La idea era transformar el lugar en un recinto artístico, educativo, cultural y turístico para la comunidad. Con el apoyo del público y la atención de los medios de comunicación, dirigieron una campaña comunitaria masiva que duró siete años.
En abril de 2004, la Abbotsford Convent Coalition y la comunidad ganaron por fin la batalla para salvar el convento. El Gobierno del Estado de Victoria donó el lugar al público, y la Fundación del Convento de Abbotsford nació como custodio del lugar para salvaguardarlo y gestionarlo en nombre del pueblo.
The celebration
Throughout the year, we will be highlighting all that has been accomplished and experienced over the years, exploring the community’s emotional connections to Abbotsford Convent. We hope to inspire our community to remember how far we have come in the past 20 years as we look optimistically to our future.
On Saturday 27 April, we celebrated 20 years since the Abbotsford Convent Foundation was handed the keys to the Convent by the Victorian Government, and work began to transform it into the thriving precinct it is today. The Community Open Day invited all members of the community to join us as we filled the precinct to the brim with life, featuring an array of arts and cultural experiences in many wonderous forms.
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MEMORIES, MOMENTS, MOMENTUM
As part of the anniversary program, looked to the future of the Convent through storytelling. The free commemorative exhibition, Marking the Movement an archival journey commissioned by Abbotsford Convent and curated by Catlin Langford, the exhibition was a grateful acknowledgement of those members of our Coalition and other key players who worked – and continue to work – tirelessly to ensure the future of the Convent. The exhibition serves as an uplifting reminder of how far we have come in the past 20 years, the momentum we have gained and a glimpse into what tomorrow holds for our beloved Convent.
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