History of Bribie Island Community Arts Centre

In 1981 a public meeting was held by the Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce to decide on a suitable project to commemorate the Bicentenary of Australia. The well-attended meeting brought forward many ideas, and it was finally agreed that the project should be a Community Arts Centre, set in an area of natural bush land to service the needs of the whole Shire.

This vision became a reality and in an area set aside for Botanic purposes on Bribie Island, a portion was excised for Cultural use. Part of the motivation for the Centre was that it should become a hub of community activity, an alternative for those who do not or cannot play sport and other outdoor activities.

Since the formation of the Bribie Island Community Arts Society Inc. in 1986, the site now boasts one of the best community arts centres to be found in Australia, staffed entirely by volunteers. It was designed by a leading gallery architect Mr. Paul Wallace, and opened by the Governor of Queensland Sir Walter Campbell on 11th December 1988.

The staged building development programme has resulted in an excellent facility with space for display of members' work, meeting and administration areas, painting and craft workshops and studios, all set in a delightful bush land setting creating a serene and inspirational background for those who work there. It has also become a major tourist attraction for the Island.

Twelve Creative Hobby Sales Days are held in the grounds each year attracting large numbers of visitors to the "village" atmosphere on the fourth Sunday of the month. Ten "working together" groups share their skills and ideas on a regular basis and weekly tuition is also offered for those wishing to begin an involvement in some form of art or craft.

Ian Fairweather

Lived and worked on Bribie Island from 1953 to 1974 when he died at the age of 83 years. At the Community Arts Centre, Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, we have a tribute to his work and small reproductions, postcards and books for sale as a memento.

Our library houses some books written about this interesting character We also have two large tree trunks, carved by a local identity which depict Ian Fairweather's likeness and also his grass hut, on the porch beside the small sculpture courtyard leading from the exhibition room. The main walking track across the island from Woorim has been named the Fairweather track and will take you to the site of his studio, on the corner of Hunter Street and First Avenue, Bongaree. Built roughly in a stand of Bribie Pines, similar to a Polynesian hut, this crude cottage was finally destroyed but a large stone marks the spot where Fairweather lived and worked.

The shire council has one small early piece in its collection but the Queensland gallery in Brisbane has a major collection. One of his paintings takes pride of place in Parliament House in Canberra.