'Dramatic' measures to tackle population drought
Published on 21 November, 2002
The Aussie fad for city or surf lifestyles will become destructive unless the values of rural living also get an airing.
One man working to reverse the population drought in the bush is drama lecturer Howard Cassidy, from Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music at CQU.
Mr Cassidy (second from left of main photo) is keen to collect anecdotes from people who have had positive experiences living in the bush.These positive anecdotes will feed into a travelling drama production aimed at teenagers who have grown up in rural areas but are considering life in the big smoke.
The production will not try to prevent them going to the city, but it will encourage them to consider returning with their families in later life.
“The media tends to focus on big city values of interest to their readers and listeners, but that just perpetuates the lack of validation of those who live in rural and regional areas,” Mr Cassidy said.
He said the development and initial touring phases of a ‘Spirit of Place’ drama production and associated workshops had received $14,000 funding from the Commonwealth Government’s Priority Country Area Program (PCAP) Central Region Authority. This funding would be matched by Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
Mr Cassidy said the intention was to tour in regional Queensland next year as a partnership between CQCM and PCAP, before exploring options for a more widespread tour in 2004.
'Spirit of Place' will be produced by staff and students from Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, part of the Faculty of Education and Creative Arts at Central Queensland University.
Central PCAP coordinator Mr Mark Weir (right of main photo) said his organisation had a special interest in the role that schools and young people could play in the future development and prosperity of rural Australia.
"The sense of belonging and ownership that young people in rural areas have for their 'place' is a critical factor, which affects their relationship with the community," he said.
Phase one of the project involves employment of a playwright in residence to develop a theatrical response to the issue. Phase two involves the production and touring of the play. Ends For details call Howard Cassidy on 4930 9579 Captions ... Howard Cassidy (second from left) and Mark Weir join drama students Melinda Beck and Dennis Mayhew to get into the spirit of Spirit of Place.