Queensland Performing Art Centre’s 40th Anniversary Reception

Assistant Minister to the Premier on Matters of State and New Citizens and Leader of the House, Member for Moggill, Dr Christian Rowan MP; Shadow Minister for the Arts and Member for Algester, the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP; Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard; Deputy Director-General, Arts Queensland, Ms Kirsten Herring PSM; Chair, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Mr Ian Walker, former QPAC Chairs Professor Peter Coaldrake AO; Mr Chris Freeman AM and Mr Henry Smerdon AM, and CEO, Ms Rachel Healy; Leaders of our most venerable Queensland arts institutions and distinguished members of the arts community; ladies and gentlemen. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.  

Graeme and I are thrilled to host this reception to honour the 40th birthday of a truly exceptional creative force in our state, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre—and welcome you all to Government House to continue this special year of celebrations. 

It is almost impossible to believe that there was once a time when this cherished home to live entertainment did not exist.  

Although our city has always had a vibrant creative scene, the options for versatile performance spaces pre-QPAC were limited.  

And so, the decision made by the government of the day to build a modern, central hub that was to originally house three theatres in one spot—the Lyric, the Concert Hall, and the Cremorne—was simultaneously ambitious, and tremendously exciting.  

When Robin Gibson’s architectural masterpiece was opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent on the 20th of April 1985, it kicked off an incredible entertainment journey that has delivered joy to more than 30 million visitors.  

Over the years, productions as diverse as the Bolshoi Ballet’s Sparticus and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera—have graced its stages, alongside performers as distinguished as Renée Fleming and Leah Purcell—and as distinctive as the Wiggles. 

But, as much as this is a celebration of a superb facility—which in 1998 grew to include the Playhouse, and of course next year will see the new Glasshouse Theatre open its doors—it truly is a story of remarkable commitment and tenacity. 

We have been so fortunate to have had amazing people at QPAC’s helm, with the inspirational foundational Director, the late Dr Tony Gould, and subsequent CEOs, including Mr John Kotzas and Ms Rachel Healy. And the organisation has been guided by many capable and determined Chairs and members of the Board of Trust and executives.  

I take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Board members for their dedicated service while warmly welcoming the newly appointed members, who now take on this responsibility. 

Of course, pivotal to QPAC’s success is its staff—those working directly with visitors, the administrators, the production team and crew—in fact, every person who has ensured that audiences’ experiences are first-class.  

We applaud all who give this wonderful organisation its purpose—the performing arts companies, producers and the astounding actors, singers, dancers, musicians and entertainers who have brought their magic to its theatres. I make special mention here, of Queensland’s flagship arts companies and thank them for driving our state’s creative expression. 

And, finally, I very gratefully acknowledge the immense generosity of the philanthropists, donors, and partners have ensured that QPAC can quite literally reach for the stars in the productions it brings to life. 

There is no doubt that with 40 years under its belt, QPAC is ready to leap into the future, dazzling audiences with more thought-provoking, invigorating and outstanding live productions. 

Congratulations to everyone involved who has helped make this cultural gem the pride of our state. Thank you.