WHAT’S ON | SEPTEMBER 2025
5 Walker Street, Maryborough 4122 6060
Box Off ice Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm
1984 By George Orwell - Adapted by Shake & Stir
Wed 22 Oct | 11 AM & 7.30PM
Strap in for an electrifying take on the George Orwell classic –from the multi-award winning creative minds at Shake & Stir (Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, Animal Farm and Dracula).
Winston Smith, an editor at the Ministry of Truth, sits quietly. A quick swig of gin; a glance of quiet optimism toward the telescreen. Winston opens his diary, puts pen to paper, and in doing so, commits the essential crime that contains all others in itself. A radical and unprecedented act of rebellion.
Discovered, entrapped, and incarcerated in the Ministry of Love, Winston, in defending his burning desire for personal freedom, prepares for the fight of his life. Can the oppressive forces of The Party, led by BIG BROTHER, obliterate the indomitable human spirit?
Cosentino - Tricked - An Evening of Wonder
Wed 3 Sept | 7.30PM
Witness the impossible as Cosentino takes you on an unforgettable journey with his new production, Tricked – an Evening of Wonder.
John Williamson55 Years - My Travellin’ Days are Done
Sun 14 Sept | 3.00PM
Don’t miss out on seeing True Blue perform live in 2025 through to 2026 before his ‘Travellin’ Days are Done’.
Contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Thu 4 Sept | 7.00PM
Moving and powerful, The Simon and Garfunkel Story is a must see and captivating show told with warmth and feeling.
NT LiveInter Alia
Sun 28 Sept | 4.00PM
Rosamund Pike is Jessica in the much-anticipated new play from Australian writer Suzie Miller and the team behind Prima Facie.
COVER IMAGE: April Spadina's The Banker, one of 26 hand painted mice to be discovered at The Story Bank.
Bjorn Again - The World’s Number
One ABBA Show
Sat 6 Sept | 8.00PM
The world’s no.1 ABBA show, Björn Again, is taking the Brolga by storm with their dazzling world class show.
Human NatureMotown Regional Tour
Fri 3 Oct | 8.00PM
The Party is on with the greatest catalogue of music ever recorded saluting the 20th Anniversary of ’Reach Out’Human Nature’s #1 album.
Normie Rowe - The Story So Far
Thu 11 Sept | 2.00PM
Normie released a string of hits that are an important contribution to the soundtrack of the Baby Boomer generation.
Matinee by the Maryan Afternoon of Song
Sun 5 Oct | 2.00PM
Nine of Qld Conservatorium’s vocal students will perform a selection of opera classics, arias, ensembles & operetta and Musical Theatre treats.
166 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay 4197 4206
Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm
Weekends: 10am - 2pm. FREE ENTRY
Exhibiting until 16 November
Strange Kinship
Exploring our complicated relationships with animals, unpicking identification and disidentification the feel towards certain species.
Exhibiting until 2027
National Interests: Australian Art in the 20th Century
Featuring significant works from the National Collection.
Girra: Fraser Coast
National Art Prize
A compelling story of our relationship to the environment told through diverse perspectives and aesthetic approaches.
Events and Programs
Film Screenings | Strange Kinship
29 Aug – 23 Sep
Join us for a suit of film screenings in conjunction with the exhibition Strange Kinship. See our website for more details.
The Art of Grant Writing
Sun 14 Sep | 10AM
A free, three hour grant writing workshop exploring the art of writing successful grant applications for arts projects.
Image (top le ): Deb Mostert, Whale as Object, watercolour on Hahnemuhle paper
WHAT’S ON | SEPTEMBER 2025
311 Kent St, Maryborough 4190 5818
Open Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 3.30pm
Weekends: 9.30am - 2pm. FREE ENTRY
Exhibiting until 14 September
41st Annual Competitive Exhibition
Hervey Bay Art Society
Exhibiting from 20 September – 2 November
Spice of Life 2
John Leyland
Opening: Fri 19 Sep | 6PM
Showcasing the artist’s deep appreciation for light, form, and colour.
Antarctic Going, Going, Gone?
Mick Brennan
Opening: Fri 19 Sep | 6PM
A response to the Antarctic, through a variety of mediums.
Twenty25
St Marys College
Opening: Fri 10 Oct | 6PM
Highlighting the creative talents of St Mary’s College students from Years 7 to 12.
Events & Activities
Mary Poppins Festival
Sun 28 Sep | 9AM–3PM
Artisan markets, live music, art demonstrations and a cardboard city installation.
Creative Space Showcase
Runway Revolutions
Until Sun 28 Sep
Featuring wearable textile art by two local finalists from the recent Australian Wearable Art Festival.
International Art
Textile Biennale
Fibre Arts Australia
Until Sun 19 Oct
Showcasing textile works by 22 Australian and 20 international artists.
Images (from top left): John Leyland, ‘Equilibrium’; Mick Brennan, ‘The Journey’; Isabelle Falk, ‘Boundless’; Kym Cunningham, ‘The Lotus Queen & The Oil Merchant’; Helen MacRitchie, ‘Gaseous Exchange’.
Kent & Richmond Sts, Maryborough 4123 7221
Open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am - 3.30pm Weekends 9.30am - 2pm. Entry fee applies
Sensory Friendly Sessions
Tuesdays
9.30AM - 11.30AM
Once Upon a Sign
Included in admission
School Holiday Craft Activities
Included in admission
Follow the signs, turn the page, and step into a world where stories and fortunes entwine in marvellous, mysterious ways.
in the birthplace of her author PL Travers
Explore the heritage listed former bank as you interact with displays featuring the life of P.L. Travers and her enchanting stories of the practically perfect nanny. Featuring two levels of interactive displays, pocket park and retail shop.
Fraser Coast Scene is distributed free as a marketing and engagement initiative of Fraser Coast Regional Council. It’s about promoting Council’s programs and services by sharing stories of our arts and cultural community and their connection to Council’s spaces.
Join us for an evolving selection of arts and craft to keep minds actively creating.
STAY INSPIRED!
This guide shares a taste of Council’s arts, culture and heritage program and was correct at time of printing. To keep up to date with the latest information visit our website.
We welcome contributions from our creative community. For more information email ArtsCulture@frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Wharf Street, Maryborough 4190 5722
Open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am - 3.30pm Weekends 9.30am - 2pm. FREE ENTRY
Unearthing the Past:
Queen’s Park Time Capsule
Take a peek into our past with this pop-up exhibit curated for the Queensland Heritage Festival.
Ghost Hunting 101
Friday Fortnightly until 19 Sep |
6:30PM - 8PM | $15pp | Book online
Join us for a thrilling night of paranormal investigation and eerie exploration.
A taste of the past
Explore the Bond Store and let this beautiful, heritage-listed building share its stories as you wander through the space.
Add to your experience with tantalizing tales and fantastic flavours. Enjoy a selection of premium quality ports and liqueurs as our storytellers share tales inspired by objects from our collection.
Take home a taste of the region with delicious delicacies or curious keepsakes.
Fraser Coast Regional Council acknowledges to the east, the Butchulla (Badtjala) and to the west, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) People, their connection to Country (land, sea and sky) and recognise the many places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance in the community. We pay respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge other First Nation Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islander people, who reside in the Fraser Coast region.
Artist Profile: Suzy Cels
When Suzy Cels tells her students “nothing is wrong, everything is right,” she’s speaking from two decades of experience that began at the bustling Eumundi Markets. The Hervey Bay artist and educator, whose acrylic painting “Aviator” won the 2024 Open Section of the Hervey Bay Art Society 40th Annual Competition, has built her philosophy around one simple truth: everyone can paint.
Suzy’s artistic journey began in 2000 while running her clothing label Suzie Cels in Noosa. “I was selling my artwork alongside my clothing at the markets,” she recalls. It was there that her path crossed with renowned Australian artist Amanda Brooks, leading to an exchange that would change everything—clothing designs for art lessons.
After returning to New Zealand in 2004, Suzy continued painting and eventually stepped into teaching in 2013. With support from her late partner, she transformed their farm studio into a creative sanctuary, teaching up
to 60 students a week, including 35 children.
“I absolutely loved teaching. It was such an incredible learning journey for me,” Suzy reflects. Her approach was always encouraging: “Every mistake is a new lesson” became a mantra her students knew well.
In 2022, Suzy returned to Australia, settling in Hervey Bay where she opened a new studio and resumed teaching in 2023. Now working with 6 to 16 adult students each week, she’s discovered that teaching art creates something beyond technique.
“I’ve made such lovely friends through teaching—it’s not just about painting, it’s about connection,” she shares. “When they say, ‘I can’t believe I painted that,’ that moment of disbelief and pride is everything.”
Read the full profile online >
Story: Lizzie Macaulay |
Photo: Cody Fox