Australian Opal Centre calls for support as construction progresses
The long-awaited new Australian Opal Centre (AOC) is emerging from the ground on Yuwaalaraay country at Lightning Ridge, north-western NSW, with construction proceeding rapidly and stage 1 of the new centre expected to open in under 12 months.
According to the AOC, the facility will be the world’s leading not-for-profit centre dedicated to the science, art, industry, people and culture of Australia’s national gemstone, housing permanent and temporary exhibitions, supporting scientific research and creative collaborations, and offering educational, training and cultural programs.
Designed by architects Wendy Lewin and Dunn Hillam, after an original concept by Wendy Lewin and Glenn Murcutt, the new AOC Stage 1 will comprise a 12-metre high, 65-metre long exhibition space within a remarkable, partly subterranean building. Future stages will add offices, workshops, a research library, curatorial facilities, learning spaces and an underground Gondwanan garden.
The innovative structure, recessed into the earth on a historic opal field, has attracted keen interest. The concept was exhibited in Japan as part of an Australian government-initiated exhibition of contemporary Australian architecture and was named by ArchitectureAU as one of the most anticipated buildings of 2024.
AOC CEO Jenni Brammall says the building responds to its place, themes and purpose.
“The economic, scientific, social and cultural significance of Australian opal can’t be overstated,” Brammall says.
“The lure of this elusive gemstone, through multiple generations, has engendered and sustained communities, given rise to an iconic industry, and shaped our culture and national identity. And it’s deeper than that, culturally – opal is deeply important to Australia’s First Peoples and carries profound stories from our ancient geological past.
“Opal mining towns that have survived for over a century are vital population centres and iconic destinations, despite being among the most disadvantaged in Australia. There’s potential for more value adding at sites of opal production and processing, and to capitalise more fully on Australia’s reputation as the world leader in opal production, knowledge services and training. The study of opal and of rare opalised fossils – national treasures without parallel – informs new understandings of our past, present and possible futures, for the benefit of present and future generations.”
In a rarely-achieved funding collaboration of community with three levels of government, the new AOC is jointly funded by the Australian Government, NSW Government, local government (Walgett Shire Council) and community and industry donors called AOC Founders.
Unfortunate timing troubled but didn’t defeat the project. Funding levels set in 2018 were maintained through design development and documentation from late 2019 into 2020, when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated multiple phases of cost engineering, as construction prices soared worldwide. Tendered prices in late 2021 exceeded the available budget significantly, triggering a further 18 months of value management, fundraising and negotiation between not-for-profit proponent AOCL (Australian Opal Centre Limited, formerly Lightning Ridge Opal & Fossil Centre Incorporated) and its funding partners.
Finally, in August 2023, builder Barpa Pty Ltd commenced work on site. At the time of writing (September 2024), construction is well advanced, with local residents at the site daily and tour groups visiting Lightning Ridge to see the landmark architectural and cultural attraction being built.
AOCL is turning its attention to the exhibitions and experiences that will bring the new AOC to life, and it is urgently seeking benefactors to fund its exhibitions through tax-deductible donations.
“The AOC is a true ‘people’s project’,” Brammall said.
“Hundreds of people have contributed to the AOC concept, governance, planning, fundraising, programs and remarkable public collection of opalised fossils, opal specimens and geological items, publications, archival materials, artworks, objet d’art and other objects.
“The community and industry then contributed a further million dollars in cash, which the AOC leveraged to achieve government investment. I’m so proud to be an AOC Founder. But because, in the wake of the pandemic, all funds had to be directed to construction, we need this final injection to deliver the exhibitions and experiences that will tell the opal story.
“We’re so close – we just need those last few generous supporters to join the visionaries who are bringing the new Australian Opal Centre into being and see us home. It’s an incredible story and legacy.”
For more information, visit www.australianopalcentre.com or email partnerships@australianopalcentre.com
The Australian Opal Centre Opal Tour is on this week – take a look at the website for more information. https://www.australianopalcentre.com/opaltour
