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Outgoing President’s Report

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

17 March 2010

Patron Councillor David Hinchliffe, fellow Committee Members, ladies and gentlemen.

This is the twenty-fifth occasion when a Presidential Report has been made; and the twenty-second. . . .and for me, final  occasion . . . . on which I present  it to the Annual General Meeting.

When we met on March 18 last year, rehearsals for The Merry Widow were well under way so things were as usual extremely busy. However, being busy preparing for a major production is never the only matter on the collective minds of your Committee. Certainly it is a major one; but so is fund-raising.

Therefore we were pleased to hear from the people connected with the famous Pomona Theatre when they called the Artistic Director and invited us to present a Concert for them. We did on Saturday March 28 and came back with a cheque for $900.00.  These “off-campus” jobs, as it were, are beyond value to QMT.  I cannot stress strongly enough how much we need them and require members to be on the alert for them. Another example was that after we invited to the Supporters’ Launch, Ms Nita Vogler  who is Convenor of a group known as “The Welcome Wagon” a newcomers’ Greeting Club, Denise and I were her guests at a monthly function at Tattersall’s Club to address a Meeting; and from it came a substantial block-booking for The Merry Widow”.  You have heard and will hear again, that we need  the Cast to sell the Show; but also, we need members to be alert for fund-raising opportunities and to bring the opportunity to the notice of a Committee member. No funds, no Productions – it is as stark and as simple as that.

The “Widow”, our second presentation of that wonderful operetta . . . . with Denise changing rôles as it were, from leading lady and Production Director on the first occasion to Production Director for the second time . . . . had its first performance on Wednesday June 3 at the Schonell Theatre; and we had a good Season. Numbers were well up, especially on the Queen’s Birthday matinee.

The Artistic Director, who has the responsibility to bring to the Committee her/his choices for the coming productions, felt that as 2009 was our Silver Anniversary, we should have a Gala to showcase our work . . . Broadway, West End, Operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan and Choral Performances over the twenty-five years of our existence. We knew that it would be difficult to “sell” as it was not a “name” Show; but also we knew that we had to do it.  We launched the Silver Anniversary Gala on August 2^nd.  Denise directed the production; and there were three Music Directors – Julie Whiting for Broadway/West End; William Liehr for Gilbert & Sullivan; and I conducted the Choir choral pieces.

We played at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough on 10 October; but despite our best efforts and those of former QMT Lead-rôle actor and Director Graeme Roberts, now a resident of Maryborough, numbers were down. What was more disappointing from a Box Office point of view, was that those who attended were delighted.  We then played at Moreton Bay College on 17 October; and to AVEO Durack on Sunday October 25 (wonderful House).  Then, because it all began at Wavell High School in June 1984, for sentimental reasons we played there on Saturday 31 October to a most appreciative . . . and in a few cases tearful . . .  audience. To end the Season, we were at Judith Wright Centre for the weekend of November 7 and 8.

I come back just for a moment to finances and “selling” the Show. When we played Oklahoma” at Twelfth Night Theatre in 1992, the Cast (admittedly a large one) sold just on seventy percent of the Seats for a two-week Season!

QMT began in 1984 with seed capital of three thousand dollars from Denise and me. After a few months, the then Minister for the Arts, the Honourable Peter McKechnie MLA, arranged a one-off donation of two thousand dollars.  Since then, not a single dollar has come from any level of Government for “General Purposes”. We have had “tied” Grants – to purchase the Roland piano for example; and last year through the good graces of our Patron and local City Council Member, David Hinchliffe we received from the Council, Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy-Five dollars which paid the rent at Judith Wright.

On St Patrick’s Day, 2004 .. . .yes exactly six years to the day and date ... we established a Public (Trust) Fund under Section 30-F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1977; and for a while it lay dormant. Then in 2008, the family of a current member of QMT placed a donation of Five Hundred Dollars and re-activated it.  In 2009, a businessman now resident in New York City, who had been a student of mine at St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, deposited Ten Thousand Dollars; and a short while later a New Farm businessman who is a friend of Denise and me, sent us One Thousand Dollars.  All donations, from Two Dollars and upward earn a considerable rebate from the donor’s Tax Bill.

I take this opportunity to express my thanks to my Committee colleagues for their efforts over the past year; and also to thank, on your behalf, some of the people who have helped us.. . . Councillor Hinchliffe, Ian Maurice and Peter Dick from Radio 4BC; Damien Lee from Radio 4EB; Barry Jantzen of Radio 4RPH; the Management and Staff of 4MBS-FM.

And so, after you have elected a Committee for 2010, Denise will no longer be your Artistic Director; and you will have a new President. In the twenty-five years, we have only ever had three, Norman Hodgkinson, then Gerard Livsey and me.  There have been no assassinations!

The new Committee is assured of the support of Denise and me. Queensland Musical Theatre has had its high moments and its low ones. At least five would–be “entrepreneurs” have tried to break away; and so far four have failed. So I should like to leave you with these thoughts. . . . .. if you will forgive me. . . .in Shakespearian sonnet form.

When on the stage this day

                                    And in succeeding days,

                                    It is not meet that you should

                                    Ponder on the past;

But on the future.

                                    Although in times now gone,

                                    Some sad unhappy times,

                                    The forces of the night

                                    Brought darkness, strife and storm,

                                    You have restored the brightness

                                    And the light that have been ours

                                    Across the passing years.

                                    And so, when now I think on you, dear friends.

                                    All losses are restored and sorrow ends.

I move the adoption of my Report.

BRIAN CAHILL       MBE  JP (Comm. Dec.)  CERT. TEACH  BA   FCMD