DIRRANBANDI CIVIC CENTRE, QLD
Welcome to cotton country! Dirranbandi has three different First language groups: Gamilaraay; Yuwaalaraay and Yuwaalayaay, the last two of which have several words, or groups of words, as well as an original placename, that made their way into the current naming of the town.
Dirranbandi is home to the ‘Dirranbandi Dandy’, as mentioned in Stan Coster’s ‘Cunnamulla Fella’, as well as Tom Dancey (1888–1957), a local stockman and Indigenous Australian, who won Australia’s most famous footrace, the Stawell Gift in 1910. Apparently, the £1000 prize money was kept by his handlers and he only got the trophy. A monument was dedicated to him in April 2011, which is nice… but as a posthumous gesture, does it ease the sting of not getting the cash? In European history, Brigadier General William Grant bought land in the area post-WW1. He was involved in the Australian Light Horse, and artwork around the town commemorates Dirranbandi’s contributions to the Light Horse in terms of men and horses. And now for something totally out of the blue – actor Ray Meagher grew up near Dirranbandi! He is best known for playing Alf Stewart on soap opera ‘Home and Away’, and credits one of his character’s catchphrases ‘Stone the flamin’ crows!’ to Dick Backhouse, who was a stock and station agent in town.
The Dirranbandi Civic Centre includes two main areas: a 200-person capacity performance hall with a stage and dressing rooms, and a supper room with kitchenette for catering functions.
Festival of Small Halls rolls into Dirranbandi, Friday 15 October, 2021 with Darren Hanlon and Kelly Brouhaha.
Opening the show will be Students from Hadenfeldt Music! Supporting the future musicians of Australia.
Tickets are priced at
Full Admission – $35 (includes entree and dinner). Available until 13th October.
Child Admission (ages 13 and under) – FREE (includes sausage sizzle dinner). Available until 13th October.
Entree and meal with ticket, BBQ with kids tickets provided from The Dirranbandi Arts Council and Dirranbandi QCWA from arrival and in the intermission. Available until 13th October.
Tickets available for $20 at the door (will not include dinner option).
Click here to purchase tickets.
Doors Open 6:00PM
Show Starts 7:00PM
The Dirranbandi Civic Centre is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilet facilities.
This show is supported by Balonne Shire Council with the support of the Dirranbandi Arts Council.
Festival of Small Halls events take place in venues operating under an approved Queensland Health Covid Safe Event Checklist, and has stringent Workplace Health and Safety requirements for all travelling artists and crew. Under the terms and conditions of all events, you must not attend if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Please do your bit to protect others and keep your community safe.