Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am always excited to talk about the diversity of our great region of Capricornia. Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Taste of the World Festival in Rockhampton hosted by the Central Queensland Multicultural Association. The event uses food as a medium to celebrate acceptance of the diverse cultures that exist in our community. This year a special segment titled 'no water, no life' drew attention to Queensland's severe drought. This event introduced us to new and vibrant customs and people who contribute enormously to the social fabric of our local economy.

In a separate event near Rockhampton culture was celebrated in another way with the recent opera in the caves. Set inside a limestone cave at the Capricorn Caves tourism park, the opera made use of the caves' natural sound qualities. The event was staged by the Underground Opera Company, which provides regional Australia with professional concerts in extraordinary environments, such as natural caves, underground mines and tunnels.