JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 A GUIDE TO THEATRE • ARTS • HERITAGE • CULTURE
AWAKENING THE SENSES ARTIST PROFILE: SHAY HAMILTON
Story: April Spadina Photo: Cody Fox
COVER IMAGE: Maryborough Indigenous Artist Brayden Smith, Portrait of Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung Artist Jandamarra Cadd 2023. Created in the Testimony Arts CISERR initiative 2023 at Gatakers Artspace.
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STAY INSPIRED! This guide shares a taste of Council’s arts, culture and heritage program and was correct at time of printing. To keep up to date with the latest information visit our website. We welcome contributions from our creative community. For more information email ArtsCulture@frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Sometimes in life you meet a person who makes you reflect on all the things to be grateful for. For many, Shay Hamilton is that person. At the tender age of sixteen, Shay was involved in a tragic accident that left him completely and permanently blind, cutting short his budding career in rugby league and leaving him at a crossroads as to how to move forward in life. Shay chose the road of optimism, a decision that led him on a path of incredible sporting achievements in track and field and competing at the World Cup in Sweden, US Can Am Games and the 1988 Seoul Paralympics. But it was his gift in music that truly awakened Shay’s senses and with the loss of his sight his other senses were heightened, enabling him to hone his skills as a musician. Shortly after his accident Shay taught himself to play the drums, then the guitar, singing naturally followed as did didgeridoo from his Koori Bundjalung Northern NSW roots. His music is performed completely by ear, his fingers skillfully gliding over the
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strings, strumming beautiful melodies, he instinctively taps at his drum kit and his emotive voice beckons you to listen for more. His preferred styles are classic rock, country and ballads and he has performed on many occasions across Australia including onboard the Spirit of Tasmania, at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and currently entertains at the Maryborough Thursday Markets and numerous community ceremonies. Now calling the Fraser Coast home, Shay has created Shay’s Open Mic sessions, allowing a diverse range of musicians to showcase their skills with an opportunity to entertain in a supportive environment. Shay has an innate ability to pick voices from a crowded room, inviting people to join him on the stage with a friendly welcoming laugh and connection to his audience and peers that doesn’t go unnoticed. People naturally enjoy and admire his easy-going nature and his ability to put you at ease. And although he may have lost one sense, it’s this other sense of Shay’s that truly shines – his sense of community spirit.
Fraser Coast Regional Council acknowledges to the east, the Butchulla (Badtjala) and to the west, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) People, their connection to Country (land, sea and sky) and recognises the many places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance in the community. We pay respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge other First Nation Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islander people, who reside in the Fraser Coast region.
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5 Walker Street, Maryborough 4122 6060 Box Office Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm
Florencia En El Amazonas - Metropolitan Opera
Manpower Australia
Mon 15 Jan | 1PM The enchanting story of a Brazilian opera diva who returns to her homeland to perform at the legendary opera house of Manaus.
Wed 17 Jan | 7PM An intimate stage production of chiselled bodies, seductive dance routines, cheeky humour and that boy-nextdoor charm.
Dear England - NT Live
Andy Vening “Hypnotise Me”
Sat 10 Feb | 7PM Tue 13 Feb | 1PM Gareth Southgate has brought hope back to the England squad but with the nation’s expectations upon his shoulders.
Sat 17 Feb | 8PM A hilarious journey into the world of hypnosis, where the boundaries of reality blur, and the mind takes centre stage.
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Sat 20 Jan | 8PM Direct from sell-out theatres, Australia’s longest running Queen tribute since 1993, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ starring Thomas Crane.
Folk Song Sing Along - Derek Smith Thu 22 Feb | 11AM ‘Folk song sing along’ is a collection of Australian, Irish, Scottish, English and other beloved folk songs.
WHAT’S ON | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024
Queensland Ballet on Tour
Nabucco - Metropolitan Opera
Wed 6 Mar | 7.30PM Queensland Ballet presents four glittering works from the vault in a balletic feast for the senses.
Mon 5 Feb | 1PM The success of Verdi’s third opera, a stirring drama about the fall of ancient Jerusalem at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar (Nabucco).
Creedence Clearwater Collective Sat 24 Feb | 7.30PM The Creedence Clearwater Collective brings to the stage a band that captures the unique CCR sound.
FOURTEEN shake & stir theatre co Wed 17 Jul | 11AM & 7.30PM The year is 1999 and Shannon has a secret.
166 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay 4197 4206 FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm Weekends: 10am - 2pm.
EXHIBITIONS: UNTIL SUN 4 FEB
Hervey Bay School of Displacement with Keg de Souza A response to the housing crisis that faces the Fraser Coast and many communities around Australia.
EXHIBITIONS: 23 FEB – 21 APR
Wilhelmus Breikers: Eat the Moon (This is not a dystopian parable) A selection of works drawing upon reflective examinations of self, questions of reception and perception and the interior dimensions of landscape. Responding literally to his surroundings, Breikers’ work invariably moves in the direction of metaphor.
Michael Cook: Livin’ the Dream Cook’s photographic artworks tease out the fictitious possibilities of familiar narratives, combining the personal with the political and the historical with the imaginary. Exhibition Opening Thu 23 Feb | 5.30PM
Cane Historical objects and personal accounts are brought curated with contemporary artworks from leading local, national and international artists to highlight the history of indentured South Sea Islander labourers in the Queensland sugarcane industry in the 19th century.
Images (clockwise from top-left): Redfern School of Displacement, 2016. Installation view: 20th Biennale of Sydney. Photo: Document Photography; Michael Cook, Livin’ the dream (BBQ), 2020, Inkjet print; Leo Favell, Polson Cemetery South Sea Islander Memorial, 1972; Wilhelmus Breikers, I am optimistic sometimes 2020. Acrylic on canvas.
311 Kent St, Maryborough 4190 5818 FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 3.30pm Weekends: 9.30am - 2pm.
GATAKERS ARTSPACE EXHIBITIONS UNTIL SUN 7 JAN 2024 2023 Waste to Art Competition Exhibition Challenging our perception of waste, to see if it can be reused, repurposed, or upcycled into a work of art rather than ending up in landfill.
EXHIBITIONS: FRI 12 JAN - SUN 25 FEB
CREATIVE SPACE EXHIBITIONS RAAF Maryborough
Maryborough Military Aviation Museum FRI 15 DEC - SUN 28 JAN
Through our eyes
Hervey Bay Photography Club FRI 2 FEB - SUN 3 MAR
Exhibition Opening Fri 12 Jan | 6PM
WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES
Between
‘The Castle of Tarragindi’ on Tour - QAGOMA
Jennifer Kenny
Inside
Wendy Talbot, Jo Dansie, Helen Campbell and Vicki Armstrong
Fri 12 Jan - Sun 11 Feb
Orchid Talk
Wed 17 Jan | 10.30AM
ARTIST IN CONVERSATION Jennifer Kenny Sat 20 Jan | 11AM
Coastal Creations
Howard & District Creative Arts Group
Hybrid Greening
Veronika Zeil and Nanette Balchin
Images (clockwise from top left): Leo Baker, The Angler 2023; Wendy Talbot, Inside The Living Room 2023; Natalya Hughes, The Castle of Tarragindi 2023; Veronika Zeil & Nanette Balchin, Hyrbid Greening; Pamela Evans, Safe Haven 2019; Jennifer Kenny, Between 2022.
in the birthplace of her author PL Travers
Explore the heritage-listed, former bank, and enter a world where fantasy and fact intertwine. Delve into interactive displays, meet quirky characters and discover the art of storytelling. 4123 7221 Kent & Richmond Streets, Maryborough Open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am - 3.30pm. Weekends 9.30am - 2pm.
School Holiday Fun UNTIL SUN 21 JAN, 2024
The Fraser Coast comes to life during school holidays with extra activities and workshops. Find out what’s on and book at: www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/school-holidays-1
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