Hervey Bay community theatre lease extended

A Hervey Bay community theatre that puts on several shows a year and offers drama classes for children and adults will have its lease extended by Fraser Coast Regional Council for 10 years.

Cr David Lewis said Council was pleased to extend the lease for the Zephyr Street Performing Arts Community Theatre Inc to continue to operate at 15 Zephyr Street in Scarness.

“The Fraser Coast has a colourful and vibrant cultural life, and Council is keen to ensure the community has opportunities to appreciate arts, heritage and cultural diversity,” he said.

“Culture and the arts help us build a sense of place, create links with friends and family, allow us to express who we are and what we feel, and help us see the magnitude of the world, with all of its joy and challenges.

“ZPAC Theatre has putting on fantastic productions in Hervey Bay since 1964 and it is wonderful to see that the community theatre is still going strong 58 years later.”

The ZPAC theatre committee was already looking ahead, Theatre President Katie O’Neill said.

“We’re installing a new air conditioning system and planning ahead.

“It’s exciting times. We’ve grown as the city has grown around us. As the population has grown and diversified so has our membership.

“We have been able to experiment with different forms and styles of theatre to take on new and diverse productions.

“The population growth has also introduced us to a new, more diverse talent pool and volunteer pool.

“Our productions are attracting good audiences and attention from visitors.

“We’re really looking forward to the next 10 years and have started planning to set some goals, to grow.”