A former Cootamundra resident who is today a leading light in Australian theatre will be guest speaker at a dinner at The Arts Centre Cootamundra (TACC) on Saturday night, June 15.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Eamon Flack, Artistic Director of Sydney's Belvoir Street Theatre, is an advocate of theatre's role in tackling the "big stuff" like the current political, social and environmental situations we are facing.
His family moved to Coota from Darwin in 1987, the year he turned 8, with winter coming as a revelation to people accustomed to the tropics.
The family stayed in Cootamundra for just that year, but he has fond memories of living in Hovell Street, just down from Albert Park
"It was the first time in my life I'd lived through a winter," he recalls, "I had tonsilitis for months on end, and one day it snowed.
"We lived next door to a very old man called Bede who always wore a three-piece suit and a hat, like it was 1940.
"I started school on the same day as a guy called Peter Cossey, who lived on a farm just out of town.
"Dad worked for Masling Helicopters. Not far away was a big family property that belonged to the Crowleys, who ran a helicopter company in New Guinea that my dad worked for, and which is how my parents met."
Mr Flack commenced his role as Artistic Director at the Surry Hills-based Belvoir Street Theatre in 2016, after many years' experience as an actor, director, writer and dramaturg.
As artistic director, his role is to determine the tone and themes to be explored on stage.
Through the careful and deliberate selection of performances and writers, he can engage with audiences about current local and world issues.
Event organiser Leigh Bowden says that to make Mr Flack's return less chilly this time around, The Arts Centre Cootamundra will be serving a hearty, warming winter meal featuring some of our fantastic local products.
"We are so lucky to have many delicious and fresh products on our doorstep and we are excited to be able to feature these products at such an important event for the arts community," she said.
Guests will be invited to enjoy complimentary canapes and drinks on arrival, with the event starting at 6,30pm.
"As a not-for-profit community arts centre, TACC is always looking for ways to support and promote the role of arts in our rural community," Ms Bowden said.
"This evening is a fantastic opportunity to support the arts, be inspired by this young enthusiastic theatre director, have a delicious meal and a fun night out."
Bookings are essential and can be made at qwww.theartscentrecootamundra.org.au or phone 6942 4773.