Rally for Don Russell PAC - City of Gosnells wants to close the venue

Media statement - 14 October 2010 Disaster for Don Russell Centre Gosnells MP Chris Tallentire is calling on the City of Gosnells Council to reverse its decision to abandon the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre. “City of Gosnells Councillors need to swallow their pride and admit they got this decision wrong,” said Mr Tallentire. “At their next meeting there will be a motion to rescind the decision. I’m calling on the Council to step away from this disastrous decision and think again. Council officers provided ample reasons in their report to keep the performing arts centre going as is. I think the Councillors need to show more respect to the 1300 residents who signed a petition accepted by the Council at the same meeting. “I was really pleased that some brave members of the local community, headed by Ruth Kershaw, the respected President of the Older Women’s Network, had the guts and drive to go out and collect signatures on a petition to take to Council. “Because of this work, Councillors could see that the Centre is a vital part of the community infrastructure in the City of Gosnells and that a large number of people shared this view. I still think it would be crazy for the City to lose an asset it would never be able to replace, and risk creating a cultural desert. “As Rick Heath from the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association said in his letter to the City: ‘Local Governments have a responsibility to provide cultural services to their communities as they do other community services. Accordingly, arts centres require subsidy in the same way as a library, swimming pool or sports field. Indeed, arts centres are often seen as a strong indicator of community well-being.’ “Councillors need to backtrack to make sure that local music, drama and dance groups will still have a place to perform and that touring productions will remain easily accessible to people who live in my Gosnells electorate.” Media contact: Chris Tallentire on 9493 2223