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‘Pressie’ For Otago Settlers Museum

Friday 14 March 2008, 3:51PM

By Dunedin City Council

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OTAGO

“Mayor’s Birthday Attracts Government ‘Pressie’ For Otago Settlers Museum.
It’s the Otago Settlers Museum’s centenary year, and today, on Mayor Peter Chin’s 67th birthday, the Museum received a major funding boost - and the Mayor wasn’t even on hand to unwrap the gift!

“I must leave town more often” was the Dunedin Mayor’s reaction to the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Otago Settlers Museum would receive $6 million towards its redevelopment project.

Helen Clark, who is also Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage, took guests who had gathered for the launch of the Museum’s ‘Fabulous Frocks’ Exhibition by surprise with the news that the multi-million dollar Otago Settlers Museum development proposed had been successful with its application through the Regional Museums Policy for Capital Projects fund.

Mayor Chin, who was in Wellington on Council business, was disappointed not to be on hand to meet the Prime Minister but ecstatic about the city’s latest success at attracting Government funding for a city project.

“This is wonderful news for one of the city’s favourite attractions, popular with residents and visitors alike – what a birthday present.

“We were lucky 2 years ago with our funding application for the Chinese Garden and now there’s more good news for its neighbour, the Otago Settlers Museum. I must up the number of invitations encouraging the Prime Minister to visit Dunedin – a city and region which, I know, holds a special place in her affections!”

The Otago Settlers Museum, which celebrates 100 years of operation this year is redeveloping and expanding on its existing site in a project estimated to cost $34 million.

The redevelopment, which has already begun is due to be completed in 2012.