Jenny Ware (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about a major milestone in my local community and the Hughes electorate, the official opening of the Pavilion Performing Arts Centre at Sutherland on 4 March this year. I was proud to be joined by my federal colleague the honourable member for Bradfield and shadow minister for the arts, Paul Fletcher.

The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre is the revamped Sutherland Entertainment Centre. Most of us who grew up in the shire have either performed at the centre or, in later years, watched our children perform there. The pavilion is the new home of performing arts not only in the Sutherland Shire but in the south of Sydney. It is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose venue with world-class technical facilities and seating for up to 686 patrons. I acknowledge particularly the work of the Sutherland Shire Council, led by our mayor, Carmelo Pesce, and the councillors who had the vision for this project. Then, of course, there is the council staff, led by the CEO, Manjeet Grewal, who actually delivered the project—on time and on budget.

We certainly know how to throw a party in the Sutherland Shire. We had former shire girl Kathy Lette as the MC. Kathy was joined on stage by stars such as Kate Ceberano, Peter Helliar, David Campbell, Jon Stevens and Emma Pask. I offer a huge thank you to all those who have worked so hard to see this amazing facility make its way from the drawing board to reality. It was great to join you to celebrate the fruits of your labour.