Eisteddfod a big coup for Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe will fill with the sound of music when almost 1000 choral performers flock to the region to take to the stage for Voices, Music and Wine on the Granite Belt in 2019.
Southern Downs Regional Council was chosen by the Eisteddfod Council of Queensland (ECQ) to host its Heritage 126th Queensland Eisteddfod, which will be held at the newly restored Civic Centre in Stanthorpe over Easter weekend, 19-21 April, 2019.
A council statement released this week said as a “week-long celebration of the performing arts, The Queensland Eisteddfod showcases some of the finest amateur talent in Queensland and is held annually over Easter in a different town or city in Queensland”.
“It is the first time Stanthorpe will host the prestigious event but the third time for the Southern Downs – Warwick hosted the Queensland Eisteddfod for the third and last time in 1924,” the statement said.
“A Local Organising Committee (LOC) has been established to plan and coordinate the Eisteddfod in collaboration with SDRC.
“Each host city forms a committee of volunteers to organise and run their respective event.
“The Local Organising Committee operates under the guidance of the ECQ, but is a separate incorporated association.
“Through an LOC, volunteers from the local community are afforded the opportunity to be actively involved in the planning and execution of the Queensland Eisteddfod.
“The Eisteddfod generally features a wide program of choral, vocal, instrumental, and speech and drama performances and may also include dance, art and/or literature sections.
“The Queensland Eisteddfod marks the beginning of a huge month of events for the Southern Downs with the Polocrosse World Cup 2019 set to kick off in Warwick on 22 April.”