Attending last Tuesday’s Campbelltown Council monthly meeting was a group of mostly young people wearing t-shirts with a message.
They sat in the public gallery for part of the meeting without saying or doing anything, before leaving the chamber.
Now the South West Voice can reveal that the presence of these young people wearing the save our home ground t-shirts was part of a campaign by the Campbelltown Theatre Group (CTG).
On September 21 a petition called Request Campbelltown Council allow CTG to retain their access to the Town Hall Theatre was launched on change.org, attracting around 1500 signatures.
“CTG members attended the October Campbelltown Council meeting to show a visual support for the upcoming discussions relating to our access to the town hall theatre,’ was posted as an update on the petition page.
The group’s next move in their campaign is to hold a public meeting on Tuesday, November 4 – in the town hall theatre.
“Help us keep the doors of the Town Hall Theatre open for all to enjoy without restriction,’’ the group say on the petition page.
“Sign this petition to urge the Campbelltown City Council to sustain the current terms of operation, ensuring that everyone in our community continues to benefit from this vital cultural institution.’’
A supporter of the campaign alerted the South West Voice last week.
“This is about the town hall theatre and the lack of support by council for its 50 year custodian, Campbelltown Theatre Group,’’ says the supporter.
“Council disbanded the last 355 committee – which was the town hall management committee – and essentially threw the baby out with the bathwater, decimating a 50 year community run tradition and home ground,’’ the supporter told the South West Voice.
“It would never happen to a soccer or football team for a sports home ground.
“It’s very disappointing and a massive over-reach, especially when council say they support the arts, culture and history of Campbelltown.
“It is interesting their latest motion was all about establishing a Campbelltown Day and bringing the community together.’’
This council is the worst council in the history of Campbelltown and Ingleburn. No council has ever overseen such waste. The council thst allowed Blair Athol wasnt great, but this one takes the cake.
Their list of stuff ups includes:
1) losing the old library
2) losing Quondong House
3) putting an entry fee on the billabong
4) destroying the Theatre group.
5) withdrawing support for the Macarthur Bulls in Schools sports program encouraging active kids
6) the continued decimation of Queen Street…
Very disappointed in the Campbelltown Council for even considering taking the Town hall theatre off the very people who care for it, and use it, along with schools and dance companies. The council members have no real idea what they are doing with this building only that they want some kind of control of it. They will never care and love this building more than the artists who sing, dance, act, and play music in here.