festival-cairns-tcp-29-sept1Ref: My View – September 24, 2008 –
As the curtains close on another Festival Cairns, there is no doubt that in its seventh year, Queensland’s largest regional community celebration has continued on its successful path to present a dynamic program with broad appeal.
With success measured in terms of participation in, and subscription to, events, economic impact and ability to focus attention on the city of Cairns, it is with great disappointment that I have been privy to whisperings that this year’s event may have been the last Festival to be staged in its current format. True or not, I personally think it would be the greatest shame to cut off at the knees what is just hitting its straps.
It is all speculative, but word on the streets has Council seriously considering the prospect of taking management of Festival Cairns in-house. Having been part of the Festival Cairns event management team from the outset in a contractual capacity, I am more aware than most of the huge amount of work and specialized skill involved in bringing an event of this type to fruition. This is an extremely massive task and all the specialists involved are required to go far and beyond the call of duty and funding to ensure Festival Cairns – as an event – reaches all of its many and varied objectives. Does Council have adequate resources to manage this feat and more to the point, will its passion be matched in terms of private sector support?
In 2000, Kevin Byrne returned to office as Mayor of Cairns. And being subject to a never ending stream of event organizers with cap in hand requiring council’s support to ‘make it happen’, he took a rather visionary approach in conceiving the idea of one, big colourful umbrella – under which a quality program of events would fall and in combination, be a more resourceful use of taxpayer’s money while appealing to private sector partnerships.
In 2002 Festival Cairns was born. An event unlike any other in Australia, it successfully delivered the concept of a multi-dimensional program of free and ticketed events spanning music, art, culture, sport and entertainment. This event would take place in spring and roll out over three action-packed weeks – bringing people out and about to enjoy life in the tropics while showcasing the city’s precincts of public enjoyment – be it Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Civic Theatre, The Tanks Arts Centre, CoCA or Cairns Regional Gallery.
In its short history, Festival Cairns has been delivered to the people by the people. That is a combination of Council funding and private sector contributions. While Council has also played an important role overseeing its operation and development –a privately owned event management company, in conjunction with its sponsors and event partners, has put the wheels in motion and brought Festival Cairns to life.
Kevin may not have been perceived as the most culturally aware civic leader, but he did have a vision and judging by the way it has been so readily embraced, was on to a winner.
Over the years it has evolved gradually into a memorable and worthwhile event that somehow manages to talk to the people – be they youth, families, multi-cultural communities -even sporting enthusiasts. And don’t tell me sport is not part of Australia’s entertainment culture.
And while I hear some ‘powers that be’ regarding Festival Cairns as unsophisticated, too long and too diverse, I wonder just what the alternatives are – should the current format be revised?
What I am hearing may just be propaganda and heresay, I certainly hope so. But if not, and there is an element of truth to the rumours, I would say to the latest visionaries, proceed with caution.
Testament to the success of Festival Cairns is its acceptance and support by the corporate sector and community. It is no good having a dream or vision if nobody can share it.
For the past seven years, Pacific Toyota has maintained its contribution and position as presenting partner and is joined by a whole host of others who have been on board from the word go. Without them, Festival Cairns would not exist.
If by chance Festival Cairns is to be reborn – finger’s crossed it doesn’t lose its everyman, everyday, family appeal and become a series of niche events chosen by cultural sophisticates for cultural sophisticates. Remember if you narrow the appeal to the public you’ll have the same effect on the sponsors.
Ends
Pip Miller