Around 2007, a story emerged that $55 million was being spent by a private individual to build a three-level, cliff-face museum near the Moorilla Estate winery in Berriedale, on the banks of the Derwent River in Hobart. The private individual in question is David Walsh (who actually owns the Moorilla Estate winery) , and the museum (now named the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is now finally set to open during this year’s MONA FOMA festival despite original suggestions that its doors would be open in 2009.
MONA will be home to a collection worth over $100 million, all of which belongs to David Walsh, making it Australia’s largest private museum. Two years past the original opening date, the cost of the building has reportedly risen from $55 million to $75 million, but the enthusiasm of Walsh (who came across his money from his efforts as a professional gambler, and entrepreneur) and his team is ever strong.
