Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Melbourne Youth Orchestras

Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:17): (731) I am sure we can all agree that supporting our young people and our youth is an important undertaking – certainly an important undertaking for governments. So it is somewhat disappointing, if not alarming, when we in our local electorates, and I in Ringwood in my electorate in particular, have been of late inundated with letters urging action by numerous, if not all, parliamentarians in this place to address what is a cut in funding to the Melbourne Youth Orchestras. The Melbourne Youth Orchestras are unique because among the orchestras around this country they provide an incredible service for 8-year-olds through to 25-year-olds. In fact they are the largest youth orchestras in this country – the largest youth orchestras in Australia. That is something pretty impressive. They have been operating since 1967. On any given week up to 600 students attend the weekly ensemble program. In addition to that, some 1000 young people attend the summer school, and in addition to that the winter school.

I have received, like I am sure you have, President, many letters. I will just quote from one of them. It says:

For many, it’s the launching place for professional music careers that span varied musical genres. For all, it enhances their overall experience of the Victorian education system and builds valuable skills for life. Research demonstrates ensemble music-making supports the development of self-confidence and organisational skills, improves socio-emotional wellbeing, and fosters a sense of belonging and an ability to work as a team.

For 50 years the government has supported their endeavours. In 2024, for reasons that escape me and very many others, this government, the Allan government, cut their funding by 100 per cent. We have $26 billion for a 10-kilometre tunnel from Bundoora to Bulleen, but we cut this funding, in the magnitude of $200,000, 100 per cent – not a cent. It is a massive hit on families. For many it will make it unaffordable, if not completely unachievable, for their children to actually attend any number of the orchestras’ programs.

I call on the Minister for Creative Industries, in this case, to fill that void and to fund from his various programs this important program and, in the words of one of the authors of the letters that have come to me, implore that minister to urgently provide the ongoing funding to the Melbourne Youth Orchestras so they may continue to provide their superb services to the young people of Victoria.