Ewen Jones (Herbert, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. This fantastic showcase has called Townsville home all those years. From very humble beginnings, it has become a natural part of Townsville's fabric. It forms part of our identity as a city with a vibrant arts sector and a city which is more than just about sporting excellence. AFCM CEO Sue Hackett and artistic director Piers Lane will be here later this month for the festival's national launch.

Piers Lane is one of the world's great pianists and personifies what this festival is all about. Piers has strong family connections to Innisfail. While Innisfail is probably more famous in this country for sugar, sugar cane, Kerry Boustead, Pat Ernst and Billy Slater, it is Piers Lane who treads the world stage with the love of the north in his heart.

Far from performing a series of formal concerts, the AFCM has taken its international artists throughout the north from underground mines in the west to the beaches of Palm Island. They generously conduct masterclasses for students of all of our great cities and regions. Piers, with his patent shoes and multi-coloured socks, brings together a program which is not just musical excellence but fun and laughter which is accessible to all of is.

The arts litter Townsville's calendar, with Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Umbrella Studio among those playing a part. I congratulate the Townsville City Council and Townsville Enterprise for promoting our vibrant arts centre. The festival runs from 31 July until 8 August. It is for all of us, and all are welcome.

See this speech in context