Winner

Michael Strong
Senior Curator, Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, Caboolture

Michael Strong is the volunteer Senior Curator at the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, situated in Caboolture and housing one of the finest collections of European and Classical artefacts open to the public in Australia. An avid self-learner with a passion for history and archaeology, Michael has a deep personal commitment and connection to the legacy of John Ward, the founder of the original Abbey Museum in England.

Michael began a quest in the 1980s to build a museum to house this extraordinary collection, raising around $1 million in support. Michael was volunteer Director of the Museum until 2012, when he took on a more focused role of Senior Curator; managing the collections, developing and upgrading displays; and managing a team of volunteer researchers. 

Michael spearheaded the establishment of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology in Australia, driving its design and construction, installation of permanent exhibitions, and construction and installation of a manuscript gallery. He presents lectures and guided tours of the Museum and the medieval stained glass in the Abbey Church; has written numerous articles on the collection; and initiated the Museum’s Aboriginal heritage trails which have been a foundation of the Museum’s education programs. He also contributes significantly to the Museum’s annual flagship event, the Abbey Medieval Festival.

Finalist

William David Mason
Archivist, Beaudesert Museum, Historical Society of Beaudesert Inc.

David Mason is a volunteer Archivist with the Beaudesert Museum, Historical Society of Beaudesert Inc. He has been a dedicated member of the Society for a number of years, during which time he has used his training and abilities as a former professional at the State Library of Queensland to greatly enhance the work of the Museum within the community. 

One of David’s greatest achievements has been the indexing of thousands of the Museum’s files, both as paper records and as a searchable online document – over 1,600 pages are regularly updated and accessed by historians, students, and family history researchers. David has also researched and written a 363-page book and numerous historical booklets on topics relevant to the Beaudesert region.

David has been a tremendous asset to the Beaudesert Museum in promoting the importance of recording local history, and ensuring that the Museum provides a safe repository that can be accessed by the community and future generations. His generosity in sharing his experience and expertise has inspired other volunteers to assist with the mammoth task of indexing the Museum’s collection. 

David’s research and publications, such as his book containing the records of over 600 soldiers and nurses from the Beaudesert area who served in the First World War, have not only generated income for the Museum but leave a valuable legacy for the community.