Showcase CQ

On Saturday night I watched a showcase of this regions fantastic talent. Legally Blonde the Musical, presented by the Rockhampton Musical Union Choir (RMUC), was thoroughly entertaining. Once a year a crew of 80 odd people come together collaborating their individual talents to entertain the audience and flaunt their awesome abilities. For some it may lead to further bigger opportunities in the industry, for others it’s an escape from routine to hone their talent and be part of something special. Last week I indicated we appear to need continual reminding of what great achievements have been made in CQ. As arguably our CQ culture has us undervaluing/underselling technical achievements and even ourselves. We are fortunate that community organisations like RMUC who with limited resources take a significant financial risk each year to remind us of the great talent in the performing arts this region continually produces. CQ industry should do the same; showcase their innovative practices each year for everyone to see. By doing this not only are local businesses reaching new potential customers/employees they are making many more of us aware of CQ’s entrepreneurial and technical talent. If we want to convince other parts of the nation that CQ is an innovative CAN DO region we need to first convince ourselves. Phrases like ‘Rockhampton is one of Queensland’s best commercial centres attracting both interstate and international businesses’ look and hear well when sporadically placed in the media but without regular substance to support them are easily glossed over. Locals need to continually hear and repeat phrases like this in order to accept and embrace it. A showcase of CQ Industry will help achieve this. The weekend of May 3 and 4, just before Beef Week officially starts next year would be a prime occasion for such a CQ Showcase. Interstate and international visitors, national media in Rockhampton, locals knowing something major is on their doorstep. Here is an opportunity knocking; showcase CQ as a CAN DO region just as it hosts an international exhibition of one of its most significant industries. Will someone or some organisation respond to the knocks?