Great Barrier Reef Orchestra receives generous donation after closure of Australian Concerto and Vocal Competion

The Great Barrier Reef Orchestra has received a generous donation following the unfortunate closure of a massive music competition.

GBRO treasurer Neil Neil Renison and long-standing ACVC committee member Chris Dall 'Osto at Queens Gardens. Picture: Evan Morgan

The unfortunate closure of an internationally recognised music competition has at least sparked some joy for North Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef Orchestra (GBRO) has been gifted a substantial donation following the winding up of the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition (ACVC) and its associated North Queensland Concerto and Vocal Trust.

The donation was honoured at a short celebration at the Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico State High earlier this month.

The ACVC was an internationally recognised competion held annually in Townsville beginning in 1980 but held its last competion in 2024. It was wound up at a special general meeting of the ACVC in February last year.

At the meeting it was also resolved that the balance of the remaining competition funds be transferred to the GBRO.

The final post on the ACVC FB page from February 18 last year said “the orchestra has had a long connection with ACVC and has regularly provided the opportunity for the (ACVC) instrumental winner to perform with the orchestra. The orchestra is a well-established Townsville group that continues to support local musical talent often under the inspiration of international conductors. ACVC is happy to be able to assist with the orchestra’s future endeavours”.

GBRO treasurer Neil Renison said the donation was a windfall for the orchestra.

“Investing these funds (donation) in secure long-term deposit guarantees that ACVC’s legacy of decades of support to classical and contemporary music will live on,” he said.

“The donation will provide an income stream to help the orchestra continue to deliver live orchestral performances for all of Townsville, offer opportunities for residents and visiting students to develop their musical skills by playing with the orchestra, and will support the financial stability of the enterprise for the long-term.

“It doesn’t solve all our financial problems. There are still things we need to do. We will still be relying on grants and other donors,” Mr Renison said.

He said the GBRO had two primary goals.

“Firstly to provide performances of classical and modern orchestral music to the region, and secondly to provide to musicians in the region the opportunity to play in an orchestra.

“To the Townsville audience, there is no other orchestra in town and that we see (GBRO) as being an important part of the liveability of Townsville,” he said.

Originally published as Great Barrier Reef Orchestra receives generous donation after closure of Australian Concerto and Vocal Competion