POPera in the Paddock will be music to Scenic Rim's ears

The hills of the Scenic Rim will come alive with Queensland's finest musical talent when it hosts the inaugural POPera in the Paddock, as part of the region’s ongoing bushfire recovery. 

The gala concert will take place at the Scenic Rim's newest ecotourism attraction, Hazelwood Estate at Beechmont, in April 2021. 

The new collaboration between the Scenic Rim Regional Council and Queensland Music Festival will feature light opera, musical theatre and popular music performances, showcasing some of Queensland's finest talent alongside a professional orchestra. 

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the event would give the Scenic Rim a much-needed economic injection. 

"POPera in the Paddock is expected to attract more than 4000 visitors to the Scenic Rim, driving an anticipated economic return of more than $1.3 million to the local economy," he said. 

"We are delivering this event within one of the most bushfire affected parts of the region, giving the communities of Beechmont and Binna Burra a much-needed boost. 

“We’ll be encouraging visitors to book and stay a few nights in the beautiful Scenic Rim and make the most of the local eateries and attractions while they’re here for POPera in the Paddock, so the benefits of this event can be shared and celebrated by the community.” 

Division Three Councillor Virginia West said POPera in the Paddock was planned to become a highly anticipated annual event on the Scenic Rim calendar. 

“Council has created this unique event for Beechmont and the wider Scenic Rim community that will assist in broadening our credentials beyond the amazing reputation the region already has for the annual Scenic Rim Eat Local Week and cement the Scenic Rim as a venue for nationally recognised major events,” she said. 

Claire Northcott of Hazelwood Estate said she looked forward to the property, a 75-acre polo estate and wagyu cattle farm, being the venue for POPera in the Paddock. 

“We acutely felt the effects of the devastating bushfires in our region over Spring 2019, with fires right to our property border. We are so pleased to be able to support this event, which has leveraged funds to celebrate our beautiful region and showcase our vibrant local arts and produce, as part of the bushfire recovery strategy,” she said. 

The Scenic Rim Regional Council is delivering the event in partnership with the Queensland Music Festival with the support of funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants. 

Queensland Music Festival CEO Joel Edmondson welcomed the partnership. 

“Music events are the ultimate recovery tool for local communities because they rejuvenate our sense of togetherness while also creating a much-needed economic injection,” he said. 

“The Queensland Music Festival is looking forward to working with Council to deliver an iconic new event for the Scenic Rim that captures the unique spirit of the landscape and people of this spectacular part of Queensland.” 

Image: Hazelwood Estate at Beechmont.