The Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) made a dazzling debut last week with the glitz and glamour of showbusiness on full display over a four-day opening gala extravaganza.
But the performances behind the scenes from a different kind of cast – contractors and community representatives – set the stage for the magnificent venue to take shape.
From distinctive design details to locally-led accessibility features, GPAC is truly a venue for the whole community.
GPAC opened in style last week to the tune of a four-day arts, music and comedy festival.
THANK YOU for an amazing four days of what this place - your place – is all about. We are so proud to be your new home of the arts.
A BIG THANKS to everyone on stage, backstage and everywhere in between who made this epic occasion possible.
Together
GLaWAC, Alice Pepper, Colin Thomas, Latrobe Theatre Company, Latrobe Orchestra, City of Traralgon Band, Gippsland Acoustic Music Club, The Latrobe Chorale, Play It Forward, Danceworks114, Word of Mouth Chorus, Strzelecki Stringbusters, Mollimor, Hooked On Rock, Nathan Lay, Simon Loveless, Company D & M Dancers, Ronald Edwards Pepper, Donna O’Callaghan, Susan Purdy, Mahony Kiely, Philip Lethlean, Garryelle Rose, Gilbert Douglas and Margie Mackay
Up Late
Harry Hook, Two Last Names, Timothy Wolf & The Howlers, DJ Golden Fleece and the Hot Glue Buns
Big Family Weekender
Latrobe Community Concert Band, Morwell Citizens Band, Ricky Harrison & Friends, L2R, Dan Goronszy, JOF’s 10 Minute Dance Parties, Born in a Taxi, DJ MzRizk & Thando, Mollimor & TRFM
Headliners
Client Liaison, The Merindas, Dave Thornton, Peter Helliar, Nikki Britton, Lizzy Hoo and Vidya Rajan
Food and Beverage Partners
Good Land Brewing Co, Little Prince, Store 61, Co ee Council, Duart Homestead, Gippsland Baked Potatoes and Wheelie Good Pizzas
Also
Bangin’ Hangings, Chrisp Pictures, Central Gippsland Photography, The View From Here, Darryl Whitaker, Lauren Murphy and Grattan Mullett
And Of Course
Our generous Buy A Seat supporters, community arts leaders and all of you who made our big OPEN weekend so
great. Thanks for being a part of it!
Branching Out With Local Timber
GPAC visitors may have a hard time seeing the foyer for the trees.
The tree-like columns that support the structure come from a pillar of the community, our local timber industry. Each of the 10 ‘trees’ were lovingly crafted over 16 hours using Victorian Ash timber from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) in Heyfield.
Sanded, polished and fitted with custom fabricated steel connections, the pieces of the columns were then glue-laminated together to produce significantly stronger beams.
The key design feature, dreamed up by Jackson Architecture and Katseiris Origami, embraces the innovation and sustainability of Gippsland timber.
Each and every 9.5 metre pylon uses about 60 metres of timber that will permanently store 21 tonnes of carbon.
The timber itself was sourced from sustainable regrowth forests around Erica and Rawson, before being milled and machined at ASH and assembled by TGA Engineers.
GPAC's Local Flavour
GPAC is a community facility created by local people, for local people.
Some of the lead actors in the story of GPAC are local heroes in their own right, making their mark as members of the project reference group (PRG) which ensured the end product was in line with community expectations.
Familiar faces in the local arts and entertainment community – Simon Hemming, Frank Bezzina, Christine Skicko, Nathan Byrne and Dr Rick Chew, Federation University were among the PRG members helping guide Council’s direction throughout the process from start to finish.
Their participation in the group to ensure the delivery of a fi t-for-purpose centre was pivotal throughout the process, and Council congratulates the group on all its accomplishments.
Access All Areas
All access at GPAC means a lot more than just a backstage pass.
Designed with accessibility features in front of mind – and front of house – GPAC incorporates a Changing Places facility and Quiet Room.
The Changing Places room includes an overhead hoist and adult change table to meet the needs of all abilities patrons and their carers.
People with sensory needs can enjoy performances from the comfort of the Quiet Room and the entire centre is equipped with hearing augmentation throughout.
Wheelchair seating is fitted throughout the auditorium, as well as a platform lift for access to the back stalls, the orchestra pit is fully accessible and there are low counters installed at the café and bar areas.
Our friendly sta are always available and ready to assist people of all needs.
With accessible parking available and wheelchair friendly paths from the carpark overflow at the neighbouring Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre, GPAC is truly a facility for all.
We believe in cultural access for everyone. This means that everyone should be able to experience and enjoy arts and cultural experiences. Everyone.
If a Full Price ticket is out of reach, you can pay the Access Price – no questions asked, and no proof of concession required. If the Access Price is out of reach, ask us how we can help.
www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/gpac/Access
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