Art and soul of the region
Story: April Spadina. Photo: Cody Fox
Maryborough Regional Arts Council members Keith Prideaux, Elizabeth Rossi, Gillian French, Patti McBride and Ann Bowden.
Living in regional areas, we are blessed with a quiet, laid-back lifestyle we often enjoy. However, at times locals find they may sadly miss out on arts and cultural experiences that are available to larger cities, with travel to these locations the only way to enjoy performances, which can be costly and time consuming. Now, with the partnering of Maryborough Regional Arts Council (MRAC), the Queensland Conservatorium and Brolga Theatre, the Fraser Coast has been gifted with incredible opportunities to experience musical performances of the quality and scale previously only seen on the Brisbane stage.
In May this year, MRAC successfully held the first of three annual performances with resounding success. Audiences were captivated by the national standard performance, delivered by sixty conservatorium opera singers and concert musicians fresh off the tails of their Southbank concert.
Twenty-five years since its incorporation, MRAC has delivered an impressive and diverse catalogue of events to the Fraser Coast. From humble beginnings, intimate musical performances were presented in restaurants and small venues for those who appreciated classical sounds. Following the opening of the Brolga Theatre in the year 2000, events expanded to include an assortment of exquisite visual and performing arts along with the popular monthly foreign and art-house film nights.
With a desire to promote and support the appreciation and investment in the arts, MRAC further enhances the experiences with a mingling of performers and attendees in the foyer post-performance. This engagement brings together an increased level of community for all involved by creating fellowship for enthusiastic theatre-goers.
Being 100% volunteer driven, the intent on delivering heart and soul to the community is evident in the high level of performances and the effort behind the scenes to bring arts to life on the Fraser Coast. MRAC endeavours to share the experience with a wide audience and offer the chance for greater community engagement by providing a strong and enriching interaction between the musicians and patrons.
This story appears in the September 2024 edition of Fraser Coast Scene, our monthly guide to What's On across our Cultural Services venues.
The creation of this story and photography was funded by Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
