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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-10-27 Daily Xml
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Hopgood Theatre

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:25): I rise today to speak about an absolutely wonderful event I recently attended in our southern community, the 30th birthday of the iconic Hopgood Theatre. I was privileged to also represent minister Snelling at this lovely celebration, which was attended by many community members, local and other dignitaries, including Dr Don Hopgood AO, Mr Lew Owens, Frankie J. Holden and Michelle Pettigrove (who also performed on the night), Mr Steve Saffell, and Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg.

The Hopgood Theatre has, for 30 years, created an excellent sense of community. It allows culture, creativity and local talent to grow and flourish. It is such an important asset to our southern community and an outlet for exploring our creative pursuits, and sometimes exploring unsafe ideas in a safe place. I know that in my own childhood, and at other points in my life, performing—in many different ways—was an excellent way to get together with others, think big and test one's musical and acting skills.

Theatre brings people together to boldly think about new ideas, to learn from each other, to reflect on the world around us, and to allow our imaginations to soar. Since the 1980s the Hopgood Theatre has been a hub for our southern community, and it has provided many outstanding examples of what groups of people and our entire community can achieve and progress when we all work together.

Originally constructed as part of Noarlunga TAFE, the Hopgood Theatre has consistently been a centre of learning for our performance-minded younger community members. It is utilised by local schools for rehearsals and performances of everything from theatre to calisthenics to music and dance. It is also used by schools for graduation ceremonies, and provides an excellent space for those moments befitting a great sense of occasion. Importantly it has also facilitated, many times over, one of our most important, meaningful and sometimes life-changing ceremonies, that of citizenship for our newest community members. Generations of new citizens from every corner of the globe have celebrated becoming Australian and have been welcomed to our beautiful southern community through these ceremonies at the Hopgood Theatre. I have been privileged to witness many such occasions, to speak at these ceremonies, and to celebrate with and welcome these new citizens.

The theatre was renamed in recent times to recognise the Hon. Dr Don Hopgood AO, and his late wife, Raelene, who contributed so much to our local community, the arts and our state as a whole. Don Hopgood represented the South Australian House of Assembly seats of Mawson from 1970 to 1977 and Baudin from 1977 to 1993 for our Australian Labor Party. A member of the frontbench from 1973, he was deputy premier of South Australia from 1985 to 1992.

Don is an outstanding person. He is generous in giving to our community and many causes within it. He lives in Morphett Vale, not too far from my office, and is a great support to me in many ways. It was wonderful to celebrate with Don and his sister-in-law in person at the 30th birthday of the Hopgood, his band being a regular feature of performances there. Don's legacy is that of a brilliant parliamentarian and musical performer and, importantly, a fierce advocate for our community and the arts. His advocacy of the theatre, the arts and our community continues.

The theatre is an excellent example of collaboration between TAFE, Country Arts SA, and our state government. We know that in South Australia we work best when we work together, and local theatres such as the Hopgood are a crucial part of the broader arts sector in our state, a sector which is very well renowned, both nationally and globally, and of which we can all be proud. Community engagement in the arts supports expression, connection, meaning and pleasure, and communities that engage in the arts are happier, healthier, more resilient and more connected. It is places like the Hopgood that provide a focal point for creativity and connection that make for a real community hub.

For 30 years our Hopgood Theatre has provided an excellent environment for our community's finest creative and cultural expression, for learning and for bringing community members together. A 30th birthday is a milestone in anyone's life and a theatre should be no exception.

I am very pleased that I was able to celebrate with our southern community, and I thank Country Arts SA and all of its staff members for the invitation for a great event and for all it does across our state in support of the arts in our communities. I also thank the many staff of Hopgood Theatre who continue to make it such a great space. Happy birthday Hopgood and here's to the next 30 years.

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