Community meeting planned to save the Hopgood Theatre
The southern arts community is rallying to save the embattled Hopgood Theatre. However, the State Government is sticking to its guns and says it will not provide future funding.
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The southern arts community is rallying behind the embattled Hopgood Theatre as the State Government sticks to its guns and refuses to fund it after this year.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend a community meeting at the theatre on October 10, organised by the Save the Hopgood Theatre group.
The community group has been fighting for more than a year to keep the curtains open at Noarlunga Centre TAFE after the State Government refused to agree to its usual five-year funding arrangement last year.
The theatre – which costs about $200,000 a year to run – has been managed by Country Arts since 2008.
Group spokesman Harry Dewar said he expected about 300 people to attend the forum.
Mr Dewar, a former drama teacher at Aberfoyle Park High School and Tatachilla College, said it was important the theatre was saved for future generations.
“It’s a wonderful place for young people to get their first experience of what a theatre is like,” Mr Dewar said.
“I’m not concerned if it is owned by the State Government or the council – as long as it is in the hands of Country Arts SA as there is no one better in the country at running this kind of theatre.”
Attendees at the meeting will hear from Onkaparinga chief executive Mark Dowd, Councillor Bill Jamieson and Labor MPs Katrine Hildyard and Amanda Rishworth.
Ms Hildyard said Hopgood Theatre provided a performance venue for many local schools and groups as well as gave people in the south somewhere to go and see local, interstate and international acts.
Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said discussions with the State Government were ongoing but that any funding from the council “would be a decision for the elected members at the appropriate time”.
She said she could not attend the meeting because she had a prior commitment but that Cr Jamieson would speak on her behalf.
Last year, the State Government agreed to provide 12-months worth of funding while an alternative funding plan was decided.
In May, with no agreement reached, the State Government said it would prop up the theatre for a further six months on the condition that a new funding model was in place by December 31.
A State Government spokesman told The Advertiser this week that the extension was “final”.
A Country Arts SA spokeswoman said she was “confident” that a new funding model for the theatre would be implemented “which will see the theatre run for many years to come”.
“We are working with the Onkaparinga Council and TAFE to finalise plans for the future of the Hopgood Theatre,” she said.
“All parties are dedicated to ensuring the future of the Hopgood Theatre for the benefit of the community and artists who use the facility as well as the staff.”
The council is planning a fundraiser for the theatre on November 2 featuring singer Wes Carr.
