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Live, intimate and classic! From opera and world-class classical to powerhouse country and Broadway brilliance, NOOSA alive! (18 to 27 July) delivers a diverse musical program that spans genres, emotions and unforgettable performances. “This year’s 10-day festival will see some of Australia’s most celebrated performers light up Noosa’s theatres and restaurants,” Festival director, Ian Mackellar said. “The musical journey begins on Sunday 20 July, where guests can enjoy an unforgettable evening of fine food and soaring vocals,” he said. A Night at the Opera will feature sensational Brisbane-based soprano trio, Divina at picturesque Noosa Waterfront Restaurant. Guests will indulge in a three-course dinner with a live operatic performance featuring beloved arias from Carmen, The Magic Flute and more. “It’s a night that promises to stir every sense,” Mackellar said. On Monday 21 July, internationally acclaimed classical musicians Sharon and Slava Grigoryan present their emotive and elegant performance, Our Place at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. In this performance, the duo explore themes of home, identity and connection through a dynamic blend of guitar and cello. Continued page 29
A Night at the Opera will feature sensational Brisbanebased soprano trio, Divina.
Budget debate Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton told Queensland Parliament the state government budget had left not-for-profits “overburdened” and many families struggling before she summed up the pluses and minuses of the budget for Noosa residents in her budget reply speech last week. Ms Bolton said volunteers were carrying the burden of delivering everything from food to accommodation through to counselling and
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haircuts at ever increasing rates to struggling families, despite some interest rate relief and inflation rates being down from post-Covid highs. “The modest continuation of the $200 ‘Play On!’ vouchers, $100 ‘Back to School Boost’ for primary school students not high school students, and a CPI increase to the power rebate is all we can find so far, and this is nowhere near
enough to address what is being experienced, including home insecurity,” she said. “The reference to one million new homes by 2044 and 53,500 new social homes misses the very real issue of our existing low income working families who are not eligible for government housing and can only access up to $500,000 from the banks to purchase one. Hence, we need gen-
uine affordable housing for them. An extra $225 million for 1600 extra police and $150 million for new and replacement equipment such as body cams and tactical vests is very welcomed, however staffing gaps left by the various forms of leave, including long service leave and leave for those suffering PTSD, need to be addressed.” Continued page 4