2024 Opera Queensland Gala

Lady Mayoress Nina Shrinner; Opera Queensland Board Chair, Ms Linda Apelt, CEO and Artistic Director, Mr Patrick Nolan; Opera Queensland Board Members and Executives; artists and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I too acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Jagera and Turrbal people, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations people here this evening.

As Joint Patrons of Opera Queensland, Graeme and I are delighted to be with you tonight and at the outset I thank Board Chair, Linda Apelt, for her warm welcome and for the invitation to join you in supporting this extraordinary Queensland company.

And ‘extraordinary’ is not a word I use lightly. The road to success for any of the performing arts companies in our State is long, dusty, and riddled with potholes, but this company has shown, time and time again, that with a clear map, a skilled driver, a committed team, and clever problem-solving, success is possible.

My reference to long, dusty roads is not just an analogy; this company has travelled to some of our State’s most isolated communities in fulfilling its mission to be a company for all Queenslanders, and on behalf of those who live outside the south-east corner, I thank them for this.

In just the past year, Opera Queensland’s regional touring and education programs have reached more than 12,000 people, and next year, the company will take its much-loved production of Are you lonesome tonight to regional New South Wales and South Australia – the company’s first national tour!

In 2021, the three young singers in this highly successful production travelled some 8,000 kilometres through regional Queensland, visiting more than 30 communities with a repertoire ranging from Puccini to Slim Dusty.

This year, productions created by Opera Queensland have been presented by Opera Australia in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, as well as in the United States; and next year, no fewer than three Opera Queensland productions will be presented by Opera Australia.

These are bold, ambitious ventures and have been highly effective, but such innovation and enterprise doesn’t come without generous financial support, and I take this opportunity to thank Opera Queensland’s corporate partners and donors, many of whom are here tonight, for their continuing belief in this company.

The support from you, together with funding from the federal government through Creative Australia and the Queensland government through Arts Queensland, has also enabled Opera Queensland over the past year to engage more than 200 full-time and casual employees, including no fewer than 37 First Nations people.

Such a significant contribution to the economy, the arts, and the livelihood of arts workers deserves ongoing support and I would encourage you all to bid enthusiastically, generously – and often, in the two auctions tonight.

Our State company has shown Australia and Australians that opera is diverse, accessible and exciting, whether it’s at a black-tie opening night here in Brisbane or a Slim Dusty tribute at the Roma Saleyards, and with your support, I know that Opera Queensland will continue to avoid the potholes, flat tyres and pubs with no beer on that long, dusty road to success.  

Thank you.