A Brief History of Friends of Opera Gold Coast
It all began with the Music Appreciation Class at the newly founded U3A - University of the Third Age, Southport,
This was in the early 1990s.
The founders of what later became the Opera Arts Society were Cathy Bowd and Andrew Toal.
While Andrew was introducing U3A members to classical music he had an idea that some may be interested in opera.
A few agreed that they would like to know more about the art.
Cathy and Alan then invited those who were interested into their home where once a month they would watch an opera.
We have found records of these monthly sessions dating back to 1996.
Eventually these opera presentations became more and more popular, outgrowing private homes and forcing the group
to look for larger premises.
In 2000 they commenced meeting in the Gold Coast Council Chambers. In 2002, an incentive of former soprano Jan Johnson,
led to a semi-permanent placement at St Andrew Lutheran Aged Care function rooms in St Andrews, Tallebudgera.
Here the Operatic Arts Society prospered and memberships grew. as these included residents of the Retirement Village.
This association continued for some ten years. Attractions included live recitals by professional singers.
To make the meetings more attractive to members and their friends, on a few occasions, artistic fusions were organised
including. a painting exhibition by local artist Helga Maria Muller and performances by blossoming young singing students.
A newly incorporated society, Friends of Opera Inc. was founded on the 12th October 2008 with Liz Assenza as president.
Presentations continued at St Andrews until 2012 but following administrative changes the Friends had to look for a new venue.
Seeking a new home was arduous and costly. First moving to the Gold Coast Community Centre at Southport.
Fees started at $200, but then doubled after a change to private management and were much more than we could afford.
Hence we moved again in 2013 to the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra premises in Ashmore.
Unfortunately technical problems with their equipment forced us to take a break until a more suitable venue could be located. The break lasted three months.
Mrs Gillian French, Director-Advancement at Griffith University, whose parents were members of our society,
heard of our plight and came to our rescue and it is indeed to her that we are doubly indebted.
She facilitated our transition first to a Lecture Theatre in the Engineering Faculty and in 2019 we were given
even more ambient space in the Arts Faculty.
As well as theatre facilities, the university provided a 'break out' room where we could get together
during interval to eat our lunch, have a chat and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
During the eight years we were at the university we were always made to feel very welcome.
Sadly the arrangement came to an abrupt end in December 2022 following a change of management and hiring policies.
The fees required were out of our budget limits.
We went in search of a new home, where it soon became clear wherever we moved we would have to pay a lot more
in hiring premises to stage our presentations.
The entry fee of $5, sustained by us for 25 years, could never cover the costs we would have to incur.
When compared to other premises offering tiered seating, etc.,the price of hiring a movie theatre did not seem too outlandish,
providing we raised the entry fee charges. After giving our members the choice to pay the necessary $20 fee per presentation,
we were overwhelmed at their positive response and we made arrangements with the Dendy Cinema, Southport.
Dendy Cinema is pleased to have a group of opera lovers hire one of their cinemas and have given us a private area
of the foyer to meet, enjoy a cuppa, have a chat and make friends.
Under our current President, Wis Jablonski MSc, MSc., and our supportive Committee, we plan to continue to grow our
memberships and enjoy our monthly meetings, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the City of the Gold Coast.
This information is provided by the Committee of Friends of Opera Inc.
Updated 9th March 2023
It all began with the Music Appreciation Class at the newly founded U3A - University of the Third Age, Southport,
This was in the early 1990s.
The founders of what later became the Opera Arts Society were Cathy Bowd and Andrew Toal.
While Andrew was introducing U3A members to classical music he had an idea that some may be interested in opera.
A few agreed that they would like to know more about the art.
Cathy and Alan then invited those who were interested into their home where once a month they would watch an opera.
We have found records of these monthly sessions dating back to 1996.
Eventually these opera presentations became more and more popular, outgrowing private homes and forcing the group
to look for larger premises.
In 2000 they commenced meeting in the Gold Coast Council Chambers. In 2002, an incentive of former soprano Jan Johnson,
led to a semi-permanent placement at St Andrew Lutheran Aged Care function rooms in St Andrews, Tallebudgera.
Here the Operatic Arts Society prospered and memberships grew. as these included residents of the Retirement Village.
This association continued for some ten years. Attractions included live recitals by professional singers.
To make the meetings more attractive to members and their friends, on a few occasions, artistic fusions were organised
including. a painting exhibition by local artist Helga Maria Muller and performances by blossoming young singing students.
A newly incorporated society, Friends of Opera Inc. was founded on the 12th October 2008 with Liz Assenza as president.
Presentations continued at St Andrews until 2012 but following administrative changes the Friends had to look for a new venue.
Seeking a new home was arduous and costly. First moving to the Gold Coast Community Centre at Southport.
Fees started at $200, but then doubled after a change to private management and were much more than we could afford.
Hence we moved again in 2013 to the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra premises in Ashmore.
Unfortunately technical problems with their equipment forced us to take a break until a more suitable venue could be located. The break lasted three months.
Mrs Gillian French, Director-Advancement at Griffith University, whose parents were members of our society,
heard of our plight and came to our rescue and it is indeed to her that we are doubly indebted.
She facilitated our transition first to a Lecture Theatre in the Engineering Faculty and in 2019 we were given
even more ambient space in the Arts Faculty.
As well as theatre facilities, the university provided a 'break out' room where we could get together
during interval to eat our lunch, have a chat and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
During the eight years we were at the university we were always made to feel very welcome.
Sadly the arrangement came to an abrupt end in December 2022 following a change of management and hiring policies.
The fees required were out of our budget limits.
We went in search of a new home, where it soon became clear wherever we moved we would have to pay a lot more
in hiring premises to stage our presentations.
The entry fee of $5, sustained by us for 25 years, could never cover the costs we would have to incur.
When compared to other premises offering tiered seating, etc.,the price of hiring a movie theatre did not seem too outlandish,
providing we raised the entry fee charges. After giving our members the choice to pay the necessary $20 fee per presentation,
we were overwhelmed at their positive response and we made arrangements with the Dendy Cinema, Southport.
Dendy Cinema is pleased to have a group of opera lovers hire one of their cinemas and have given us a private area
of the foyer to meet, enjoy a cuppa, have a chat and make friends.
Under our current President, Wis Jablonski MSc, MSc., and our supportive Committee, we plan to continue to grow our
memberships and enjoy our monthly meetings, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the City of the Gold Coast.
This information is provided by the Committee of Friends of Opera Inc.
Updated 9th March 2023
