Australian Festival of Chamber Music Opening Night Concert

Member for Herbert; representing the Mayor of Townsville, Councillor Doyle; our Chair, Sandra Yates; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.  

I at once acknowledge the First Nations peoples and traditional owners of the lands on which we gather. I pay my respects to all Elders past, present and emerging.

It is indeed my great pleasure, as Governor and Patron, to be here tonight for this opening night concert for the 2019 Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Kaye and I have delighted in attending this superb musical event over the past six years.

The exceptional talent and quality of music at the Festival certainly makes me proud to call myself a Queenslander… as it does to know that this ten-day festival has been a staple on the Queensland events calendar for now over a decade.

And of course what’s not to love about Townsville in winter! Sublime music combined with a gorgeous backdrop – I’m sure this is the envy of arts aficionados all over the country!

Having said that, the weather in Townsville is not always so forgiving, I am reminded that earlier this year in fact, Townsville suffered floods and wild weather. And yet it is a testament to the people of this city that now, some six months later, we gather to celebrate the finest music from Australia and around the world.

Tonight’s concert promises to be a highlight, as does the Governor’s Gala we will attend tomorrow. It is hard to say which piece I am most looking forward to, but I certainly cannot wait for tonight’s Australian premiere performance of Fitkin’s ‘Recur’.

This year’s program with its theme ‘Origins’ is an intriguing one.

While we may consider music collectively as one art-form, within that form there are so many different expressions.

I applaud the diversity of this year’s program, once again bringing together music and cultures from across the centuries and distilling it into ten days of pure aural seduction.  

I must extend my thanks and admiration to Artistic Director, Kathryn Stott, who along with Executive Director of the Festival, Gavin Findlay, and their team has programmed this year’s Festival.

I thank also the Festival Board led by Chair, Sandra Yates, who have guided this Festival and the many partners, donors and sponsors without whose generosity, this event would not be as grand as it is.

I am sure we are all in for a treat with tonight’s concert and the coming week and a half of exceptional music which will float through Townsville and its surrounds.  

Congratulations to you all, let us enjoy this magnificent evening in this magnificent Queensland city.