Annette Ellis (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to take the opportunity this morning to talk about the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. Just over 40 years ago the then newly arrived founding director of the Canberra School of Music, Ernest Llewellyn, took the reins as conductor of a small amateur orchestra ensemble which became, under his direction, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. The CSO has grown and developed over the years since, with great pride within this community. Sadly, however, a question mark has been put over the CSO as the result of a recent decision by the Australian Ballet not to come to Canberra next year, claiming that it is not worth their while as the orchestra is too expensive for them and not up to scratch and that our theatre here is inadequate for them to continue touring here.

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