Opera Queensland Festival of Outback Opera Opening

Minister for Education and the Arts, the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP; 25th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 24th Governor of Queensland, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO; Mayor, Winton Shire Council, Ms Cathy White; Opera Queensland, Chair, Ms Linda Apelt; Board Members, Mr Will Fellows and Ms Katie McNamara; CEO, Mr Patrick Nolan; QPAC Chair, Professor Peter Coaldrake AO; Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Mr Michael Sterzinger; corporate partners and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Winton, the Koa people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening.

As Joint Patrons of both Opera Queensland and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Graeme and I were delighted to accept the invitation to be in Winton this week to hear these two major State arts organisations perform together.

In addition, as the Official Visitor to The University of Queensland, I have a strong connection with the third performance partner for this event, and I congratulate all three on the time, energy and enormous collaborative effort they have made to reach this opening night of the 2025 Festival of Outback Opera.

The last Festival Graeme and I attended was in 2023. That year, we shared a joyful celebration of the songs Queenslanders know and love through a performance of ‘The Lady Sings the Maroons’. Tonight, we are looking forward to joining you all in singing favourites from the opera songbook.

Even for people like us who won’t be auditioning for roles with Opera Queensland any time soon, singing with others is exhilarating, immediately bolstering the sense of well-being, and I thank Opera Queensland for helping me to fulfill my pledge to encourage a healthy and active Queensland in this way.

I also thank Opera Queensland for giving Queenslanders in regional and remote areas the rare chance to hear performances by some of Australia’s and the world’s best – and for all of us to enjoy live music outside the confines of the concert hall and beyond the big city environment.

The idea of performing opera in the bush emerged in 2021, amid the uncertainty caused by the COVID pandemic, while it may have seemed a slightly crazy idea at the time, the Festival has excited opera lovers around the globe ever since.

Now, it is an iconic Outback event, not to be missed, and I take this opportunity to warmly welcome the visitors who have come from all over Australia as well as overseas to share this truly unique musical experience.

Graeme and I were here just a month ago for the fantastic celebrations marking Winton’s 150th birthday. With hundreds of former residents and visitors arriving by road, train, and air, it was an exceptionally busy time for the district. It’s an enormous credit to the Shire Council, local businesses, and organisations, as well as to the people of this community, that they were able to pivot quickly and seamlessly to finalising plans for this week’s influx of opera-lovers.

Recent weather events, including record-breaking rain and flooding in April, presented significant hardships, of which I am acutely aware. However, the resilience of this community has been nothing short of remarkable. During our time in Central Queensland this week, we will also visit the flood-impacted communities of Jundah and Windorah, where we will no doubt hear many stories of devastation, resilience, and recovery, much like your own. It is truly inspiring to witness firsthand the strength and determination of such communities, and I am confident that, like you, they will continue to rebuild and thrive.

Part of that recovery is through wonderful occasions such as this, and with the generous support of government, performance and philanthropy partners and other sponsors, Opera Queensland over the next three days, will present no fewer than seven events here in Winton, ranging from birdwatching and music trivia to the glorious Dark Sky Serenade, before moving to Longreach for four more fabulous performances.  

Graeme and I look forward to seeing more of you all while we’re in Winton and to joining those who are travelling on to Longreach to continue this special experience.

The Royal Theatre has been part of Winton’s history for more than a century, and I acknowledge the dedicated custodianship of the Evert family since 1938 as well as the current commitment of Winton Movies Inc.

This continuity has ensured the restoration and preservation of this rare open-air theatre for all Australians, and I can think of no more fitting place to officially open the 2025 Festival of Outback Opera than this living symbol of the grit, determination, and resilience of this community.

Have a wonderful Festival!