Big thinking has been unfashionable for too long. Over the past decade, successive leaders have overseen cuts to universities, the arts and public broadcasting. There has also been a rejection of First Nations attempts to wrestle back dignity and create lasting change for the whole country.
In one fell swoop, the funded arts sector and the creative imagination of the nation shrunk.
This money was redirected away from peer assessment into funds for distribution at the discretion of the minister. After a long and consistent outcry, much was returned to the Australia Council’s peer assessment process but grants and funding to artists from the Australia Council decreased by 19% in real terms between 2013-14 and 2019-20, and increased by $1 million in last year’s budget.
Governor presents Australian honours and awards (2)
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Friday 07 May 2021
His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, today presented Australian Honours and Awards to the following Queenslanders:
MR GARRY WILLIAM LOCKHART
Group Bravery Citation
Mr Lockhart is recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for his actions during a prison riot at Long Bay Gaol in New South Wales.
On the evening of 23 October 1986, a prison riot broke out at the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Long Bay Gaol. Three prison officers were taken hostage by inmates armed with makeshift weapons and, despite attempts by the officers to negotiate with the prisoners, they were locked in a nearby cell. Seventy inmates then took control of a section of the Centre.
Phil Brown reveals best and worst arts shows
Art & Theatre by Phil Brown
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Subscriber only How to describe four decades of covering and reviewing the arts? I started my arts career at The Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton covering shows at the then newly opened Pilbeam Theatre, running from the theatre after a performance, filing my review and then running back to the theatre bar for last drinks. In Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and elsewhere I have seen the best and the worst that the performing arts has to offer. When asked to describe the experience once I thought of Irving Stone s 1961 novel (later a film) The Agony and The Ecstasy. Okay that was about Michelangelo but the expression suited perfectly although sometimes I also evoke Dickens â¦. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Here s how â¦.