Bowraville Theatre celebrates progress and perseverance at AGM

THE Bowraville Theatre marked a year of challenges, triumphs and transformation at its Annual General Meeting held on 12 October 2025, as the Bowraville Arts Council reflected on significant progress made over the past twelve months and set its sights firmly on the future.

While the long-awaited dressing rooms and back stage area are yet to be constructed, substantial upgrades have brought the much-loved community theatre closer to its goal of full modernisation.

Works began in August 2024 following sustained community advocacy, including a mass attendance at a Nambucca Valley Council meeting to stress the theatre’s importance.

Thanks to the dedication of the Bowraville Arts Council and support from Council staff, especially project manager Kevin Donnan, the theatre has seen extensive improvements.

These include a full electrical overhaul, roof repairs, new stage lighting and audio systems, improved insulation, and a lift for stage access.

A fresh coat of paint and updated foyer have also refreshed the building’s facade.

Despite some shutdowns during the upgrades, the theatre hosted ten major concerts, multiple community events, and has begun developing a youth theatre program.

The popular café now boasts a bar licence that supports revenue from shows.

Bowraville Arts Council Secretary Dale Hawkins praised the theatre’s small but dedicated committee, volunteers, and community partners.

“We’ve all learned new skills and seen many amazing performers and this theatre continues to bring the community together,” Dale told News Of The Area.

The Bowraville Arts Council Executive for 2025-26 consists of President Maree James, Vice President Helen Leap, Treasurer Geoff Gardner and Secretary Dale Hawkins, supported by a strong team of specialist committee members.
The committee is now calling for volunteers to help ease the load, especially in IT, publicity, stage management and the youth theatre project.

The committee also acknowledged the crucial support of Mikey and Jaqs from Moonrise Productions for their work on sound and lighting, and thanked Sara Jayne Prince of Archive Mid North Coast for her role in promoting theatre productions.

Looking ahead, the theatre’s top priority is sourcing funds to complete the new dressing rooms.

The original $705,000 from the Bushfire Relief Fund is now exhausted, but the groundwork that has been done means the final build will require less capital than first anticipated.

The Bowraville Arts Council is urging anyone interested in helping or getting involved to get in touch.

“Without community looking after community,” Dale Hawkins concluded, “what’s left?”

By Mick BIRTLES