Central Queensland Regional Performing Arts Foundation

04/05/2026

Youth Bursary Winners announced for 2026 Round 1
Thanks to the generous support of some wonderful donors, the trustees of the CQ Regional Performing Arts Foundation have awarded a total of nine bursaries, valued at more than $10,000, to the following Central Queensland performers in the first of two grant rounds in 2026.

Isabella Mead (clarinet), Matthew Gill (trumpet) and Alexander Brown (trombone) will be attending the Tertiary Preparation Workshop in Brisbane. Kalani Williams (choral) and Alexander Campbell (trumpet) will attend the State Honours Ensemble Program 2026, Sophia Harrison (violin) will attend the Australian Honours Ensemble Program 2026 – all at the Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane

Dancers, Tayla Tappin will participate in the Ballet Theatre Queensland’s production of Snow White, Charlie King will participate in the Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix, and Addison Maurer will attend the Annette Roselli International Summer School, all to be held in Brisbane.

The CQ Regional Performing Arts Foundation is administered by the Friends of the Theatre Rockhampton

Donate to support the foundation https://www.cqrpaf.com.au/donate.html

28/02/2026

2026 ROUND 1 - YOUTH BURSARY PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Applications are now open from residents of the Rockhampton, Isaac and Central Highlands Regional Councils and Livingstone, Woorabinda and Banana Shire Councils local government areas and will close 5.00pm on 15 April 2026, for courses to be undertaken between 15 May 2026 and 31 January 2027.
Apply NOW at

16/01/2026

Thanks TCC for the shout out

// TOP BRASS //

We’re delighted to share with you the news that three of our top Instrumental Music students Alex, Anya and Matt together with Percussion tutor Miss Jasmin Ellingsen have been selected to attend the Queensland Band Association Youth Brass Development Camp in Brisbane.

This five-day intensive camp with leading Australian brass and percussion musicians will culminate in a performance at Brisbane City Hall’s Main Auditorium conducted by world class musicians Bryan Hurdley and Maureen Cameron.

Performing in a host of TCC ensembles and previously in their primary school instrumental music programs, Alex, Anya, Matt and Miss Ellingsen are all proud members of the community brass band, Capricornia Silver Band which has given them further depth and experience in ensemble playing.

Thanks to the Central Queensland Regional Performing Arts Foundation our students received a bursary to support their attendance recognising their talent, excellence in music education and their contribution to the community.

Congratulations Alex, Anya, Matt and Miss Ellingsen on your selection for this prestigious music learning experience.

01/11/2025

I am pleased to announce on behalf of the trustees of the Central Queensland Regional Performing Arts Foundation (Karen Capon, Lauren Gabriel and George Belonogoff,) the following Youth Performing Arts Bursaries with a total value of over seven thousand dollars have been awarded as follows.

Dancers Addison Maurer and Sienna Westcott, will attend the International Summer School at the Annettee Roselli Dance Academy in Brisbane in December 2025

While Music Theatre performers, Alexandra Walker and Lucy Perry-Bar, will take part in the 2026 Music Theatre Summer School at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay in January 2026

Musicians Matthew Gill, Anya Broadbent and Alexander Brown will attend the Queensland Band Association Youth Band Development Camp in Brisbane, also in January next year.

Thank you to our wonderful donors for making this important and much-needed program possible.

The Central Queensland Regional Performing Arts Foundation is the Gift Fund of The Friends of the Theatre Rockhampton Inc.

02/09/2025

2025 ROUND 2 - YOUTH BURSARY PROGRAM NOW OPEN

Applications are now open from residents of the Rockhampton, Isaac and Central Highlands Regional Councils and Livingstone, Woorabinda and Banana Shire Councils local government areas and will close 5.00pm on 15 October 2025, for courses to be undertaken between 31 October 2025 and 31 July 2026.

Apply NOW at

The Central Queensland Regional Performing Arts Foundation trustees are pleased to announce that applications for the 2025 Youth Bursary Program Round 2 will open on 01 September 2025 and close on 15 October 2025.

24/02/2025

Much deserved - WELL DONE - FLIPSIDE CIRCUS

THE GOLD MATILDA
Flipside Circus

Since their beginnings in 1994 with community classes under a tree in Davies Park, West End, Flipside have been providing young people across Queensland with the opportunity to learn circus and physical performance regardless of background or circumstances. Focusing on collaboration and celebrating creativity, they foster the development of our next generation of circus and physical theatre artists and create memorable performances on themes that are meaningful to young people, including Matilda nominated shows like 'We Live Here' and 'Wilbur the Optical Whale'.

In 2023, with the support of government and their broader community, the company opened a $2.4 million purpose-built circus training and presentation space in Hamilton, with specialist circus training facilities unlike any other in Australia, enabling emerging and established circus companies in southeast Queensland to collaborate and create new work. The venue faced a fire at the beginning of 2024, remaining closed for repairs until September. Despite this, Flipside stayed committed to their work, delivering 2,104 workshops for 23,381 participants across the state, including 119 programs to 3,860 kids in over 40 communities in regional and remote Queensland and accessible workshops for 1207 participants as a part of their community/social circus program.

20/02/2025

Three day workshops for young people from grades 8 to 12