The final component of South East Queensland’s newest, premier entertainment and cultural venue was officially opened today.
The Butterbox Theatre and Living Museum of Logan were unveiled by Logan City Council and the Queensland Government as the final attractions of the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct (KBF).
The latest additions to the $22.5 million redevelopment of the site were opened by City of Logan Mayor Darren Power and Queensland Attorney-General and Member for Waterford, Shannon Fentiman.
Cr Power said the two new spaces would join the already opened outdoor entertainment venue and greenspace, heritage centre, café and plaza to form the vibrant arts and cultural hub known as KBF.
“This historic former dairy factory has been redeveloped through a project supported by Logan City Council and the Queensland and Australian Governments,” Cr Power said.
“The redevelopment has delivered a multi-faceted arts and entertainment space which will provide amazing new entertainment options for City of Logan residents and visitors.
“We now look forward to the community experiencing KBF for years to come.”
Minister Fentiman said the project was exactly what the $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program was designed to help councils deliver.
“This facility will have an enormously positive impact on the Logan community and was made possible with $6.57 million from the Queensland Government’s COVID Works for Queensland program,” Ms Fentiman said.
KBF was built in 1907, and by the 1930s was Queensland’s largest butter factory – producing up to 50 tonnes of butter each week (around 90,000 tubs of butter in today’s terms).
The facility ceased operating as a dairy factory in 1983.
The first displays in Living Museum of Logan will allow visitors to see, hear and experience the stories of people from the City of Logan and include:
- Nourish features stories from Logan’s kitchens, markets and gardens and highlights people’s connection to food and each other.
- Snapshot captures the street styles of City of Logan residents through the eyes of local photographers mentored by Louis Lim.
- The First Nations Space puts a focus on First Nations’ languages and culture and stories from City of Logan’s Elders.
- Factory Stories was created by City of Logan artist Dr Nicola Hooper to provide an interpretative timeline of the Kingston Butter Factory’s history.
- Chrys Zantis’ multi-panelled group portrait Ora from her year-long project working with the Beenleigh International Cooking Group. People were invited to cook a meal that represents their home.
The Butterbox Theatre will offer exciting arts experiences including music, drama, comedy, workshops, talks and ideas.
Upcoming shows include:
- July 14-15: Undertow by Shock Therapy – which explores themes of mental health and relationships.
- July 17: Sunday Sunsets – ‘Speakeasy’ – a cabaret production from the Roaring 1920s.
- July 20-21: There’s a Sea in my Bedroom, based on the popular children’s book.
- July 28 – Aug 4: Brothers Book Club a theatre work created by local young men from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- August 9: THEM – a tale of survival, friendship, and the things we are willing to do to protect the ones we love.
- August 23-24: Hijabi Girl: A Musical Puppet Show, which explores differences and creative problem-solving among school children.
