Page 31 - Tropic Magazine Issue 15

TROPIC • COVER STORY

GREATEST SHOW

The new Cairns Performing Arts Centre is the centrepiece of a vision to
make our city the arts and culture capital of Northern Australia.
Words Gavin King

hen the bright lights shone down The Cairns Civic Centre (as it was then
Won the stage inside the Cairns known) was officially opened by the
Civic Theatre for the first time in 1974, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam,
no-one could predict the curtain would who noted the city’s unique position
continue to rise and fall in that place for in the national arts scene as a vibrant
another four decades. melting pot of European, Aboriginal,
The debut production was a rendition and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
of Mikado, with the Gilbert and In his speech, Whitlam said planning
Sullivan-penned musical marking a for the centre began just weeks after his
unique turning point in the state’s government was elected in 1972.
arts sector as the first purpose-built “This is a very happy occasion for me,” he
theatre in regional Queensland. told the VIP crowd. “Whatever you may
Other such facilities would think of my feelings towards Queensland,
follow in Townsville, Mackay and there can be no doubt about my feelings
Rockhampton. towards Cairns. I came here for a few

31 • tropicnow.com.au