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The current crop of arts leaders (“stayers and returners” to adapt idea from Matt Condon’s book “Brisbane”) were forged in the late 80s and early-mid 90s. As a collective we are collaborative, inclusive and have passionate vision for the city in the runway to 2023 and beyond. Some great work underway led by the Committee for Brisbane. Converging arts and culture with business, commercial sectors and policy at all levels of government. An exciting time. When the 80s catch up happened there was scant cultural infrastructure and expertise here to support our artists and stories. That has changed. The future is exciting for our city. Great provocation Brett, thank you.

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This may be an unpopular opinion but I think the Brisbane renaissance which took place between (say) 1985 and 1995 was basically an exercise in 'cultural catch up' with our southern cousins. Since then we have become basically indistinguishable from Sydney and Melbourne, all be it on a smaller scale. The challenge in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympics is not only planning for and managing future growth and leisure facilities, but working out how to build things in a way that identify us as a sub-tropical city with a distinctive past and not just another cookie cutter 'world city'. The proposed extension of South Bank provides one such opportunity.

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Agree and sustainable and clean energy is key as is accessibility and social/cultural inclusion.

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Some other actors / entertainers who cut their teeth in Qld: Ray Barrett, Diane Cilento, Gerry Connolly, William McInnes, Barry Otto, Sigrid Thornton.

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