MEDIA RELEASE - COUNCIL CREATING AN EVENTS HUB
NEW QUORN PRECINCT OPENING AND FRINGE IN THE FLINDERS SUCCESS
The Flinders Ranges Council has celebrated a fantastic weekend of events kicking off with the opening of the new Visual and Performing Arts Precinct followed by a successful Fringe in the Flinders.
An official opening was held on Saturday 18 March 2023 for the new Quorn Visual and Performing Arts Precinct which has seen the transformation from an under-utilised car park into a central town square space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Mayor Ken Anderson presided over the event with well-known Australian singer and song writer John Schumann providing some inspirational words for the community to take advantage of the creative space and utilise it. Minister Brock and Eddie Hughes, MP also took part in the proceedings including the cutting of the ribbon.
“It’s amazing to see this wonderful new community and artistic space being utilised for a major event such as Fringe in the Flinders. The precinct has taken many months to transform from the open car park and shed space that it was, into this amazing accessible and well-designed space that is available for everyone to use.” Mayor Anderson said.
“It was a pleasure having John Schumann, who fully understands the importance of combined arts and community spaces such as this, participate in the official opening of the precinct and inspire the community to really take ownership and make the most of it.”
Minister Brock and Eddie Hughes MP provided similar words of encouragement and also congratulated the Council and community on creating such a vibrant and inclusive space.
“Consultation was undertaken with local event organisers to ensure the space can provide what we want it to, right down to the height of the stage roof which allows plenty of room for acrobatic performances as well as lighting for music events.” Mayor Anderson went on to say.
The Fringe in the Flinders was a hugely successful event attracting over 500 locals and visitors to Quorn on the Saturday night and Hawker on the Sunday. The Quorn event was held entirely in the new precinct which provided the perfect space to incorporate the stage acts, roving artists and the Little Palais circus tent.
“It was so great to see the community and visitors all enjoying such an amazing event that provided endless entertainment. The Fringe acts were from all over the world and really were world class acts and we as a community and Council feel so privileged to have them come all the way up here and entertain and amaze us.”
Fringe in the Flinders was made possible through funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) in partnership with the Australian Government. The FRRR’s vision is a vibrant, resilient and revitalised remote, rural and regional Australia, and Fringe in the Flinders certainly delivered on that.