Stage set for funds

By Tania Martin
THE curtain on the construction of Emerald’s long-awaited community theatre project can finally be raised after a state government pre-election promise was delivered.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato last week announced a $200,000 cash boost for the project seven months after making a pre-election promise.
The Gemco Players theatre company can now get started on the construction phase of the project.
President Kate McManus says now that the last piece of the puzzle has fallen into place the construction of the new theatre complex can get started.
“We were just waiting on this money and now it’s full steam ahead,” she said.
“Hopefully we can announce in the next couple of weeks the beginning of construction.”
The theatre project has been a jointly funded project with the Federal Government spending $440,000, Cardinia Shire $250,000 and the State Government $200,000.
The funding will help Gemco expand its existing theatre in Kilvington Drive to include a 150-seat auditorium with a large stage, dressing rooms, storage and work areas, a foyer, toilets and undercover disabled access.
Ms Lobato last week said it was great to finally turn the pre-election promise into reality and help fund the new theatre. “The new facility will enable an increase in the scope and number of productions and deliver a facility that is better to work in as well as better for audiences,” she said.