crowds flock to burrinja community opening

Saturday saw the official community opening of Burrinja Performing Arts Centre in Upwey. People came out in droves to look a the new theatre and gallery spaces.

Here I am pictured with long time Burrinja volunteer, Tracey who was keenly handing out brochures to everyone as they passed by.

Organisers had put together an amazing program to showcase the centre and there was something for everyone.

To start the days proceedings Aunty Dot Peters did the traditional welcome to country.



















Next up was a presentation to Burrinja Executive Director, Ross Farnell. Ross and his team have done a tremendous job throughout the construction and the Committee of Management (of which I'm a member) thought it was important to recognise his efforts.

To kick off the perfomances in the theatre a community choir made up of choirs across the region, too many to name, sang as One Voice One Community. It was a fitting start, Burrinja exists because of the enormous support of our local community.

Local singer and choir leader, Barb McFarlane, led not only the community choristers but the audience too in beautiful group singing.

Suzanne Frisk did a great job keeping the singing going.

Chris Risely led local choir Sweet Sassafras in a great rendition of Beds are Burning to celebrate the landmark decision to award the Gunditjmara and Eastern Maar people native title rights in South Western Victoria.













Utassy Ballet School delighted onlookers with a mix of traditional and contemporary dance pieces. It was wonderful to see the potential the new theatre brings.

Last, but certainly not least, we were treated to a performance by the Nicholas Chamber Orchestra performing Peter and the Wolf with Derek Guille narrating the story. It was wonderful to experience this long time family favourite live in a theatre setting. Young and old alike were captivated.

It was a wonderful day, hundreds of community members were there to enjoy their brand new $9million facility. I feel immensely proud to have played a part in bringing this state of the art performance venue to the Dandenong Ranges.

burrinja community celebration day

Well it's been quite a journey for our community. From council amalgamations which saw our Shire of Sherbrooke offices under threat of sale by the Commissioners, a long and passionate community campaign to keep our shire offices and turn them into a community cultural centre, the trials and tribulations of funding, design and construction through to a $9million performing arts facility. What a journey!

And this Saturday is the day when all of community can come and celebrate their achievements at the Burrinja Community Celebration Day.

Saturday 30th July will be a free day of activities throughout the centre, including:
The official opening by Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Terry Avery
Performances in a brand spanking new theatre by Burrinja Choir for a Day, Singularity, Mullum Mullum Indigenous Dancers, Ranges Young Strings, Utassy Ballet School, GEMCO and many more local groups
4 new art exhibitions including Stories of Song and Dance - showcasing items from the Burrinja/McLeod Gift Collection (thanks Neil - we're indebted to your generosity), Our Place-Our Space - Koori Art exploring the theme of identity in contemporary Australia, Focus - a group photographic exhibition behind the scenes of Utassy and ActUp and Rodney Saulwick: Silent Speech and GUIs, a retrospective of Rodney's work
Bush tucker in the newly created Art of Place Indigenous Garden
Mask Making workshop, indigenous weaving, films from the Black Screen Festival
Tours of the centre, led by a dedicated bunch of wonderful Burrinja volunteers
To end the day, the grand finale, a live performance of Peter and the Wolf by the Nicholas Chamber Orchestra with special guest narrator Derek Guille. (small fee of $7 for this one and starts at 4:30pm)

To download a program click here.

What a great way to open, I look forward to seeing you there.