The Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC) promotes a cooperative network of performing arts centres across Victoria and Tasmania. This collaboration aims to achieve best practice in programming, management and operations to foster and develop the performing arts across Victoria and Tasmania.

The Karralyka Centre, a facility owned by the Maroondah City Council, is a member of VAPAC and I was invited to officially open the VAPAC Managers meeting, which was held at Karralyka this morning.

The Karralyka Centre opened in 1980 and the VAPAC meeting provides an opportunity to showcase the Centre. Please continue reading to view the speech delivered at the opening:

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

We, Maroondah City Council, accept, respect and have shared with the Wurundjeri people in their customs of welcome.

The Wurundjeri people support the coming together of all people, respecting their individuality to focus on a unified and cohesive nation.

Welcome to the Managers Meeting for the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres, here at the Karralyka Centre, located in the City of Maroondah. I would like to acknowledge, Robyn Cave, the Centre Manager of Karralyka.

It is great to have an association that believes in cooperation and collaboration meet at the Karralyka Centre to deliver outcomes in best practice and encourage the performing arts across Victoria and Tasmania.

The Karralyka Centre was opened on the 19th of April 1980 and hosts 150,000 people per annum. The centre sees a variety of use, including the preparation of 65,000 Meals on Wheels, Debutante Balls, Valedictory Dinners, Weddings, Dinner Dances, Corporate Sessions and of course Conferences.

Over its history the Karralyka Centre hosted the first Melbourne Flower Show and Miss Australia was televised live here during the 1980s. More recently the Centre has seen success in establishing a prominent members database, growing from 3,500 to 8,500 in three years and a 30% increase in takings.

No doubt further ideas will be discussed during the Conference and I wish you the best of success as you begin discussions. It brings me great pleasure to officially open the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centre Managers Meeting.