QPAC

QPAC Collections NewsroomSimon Woods

612 ABC Radio Brisbane has your sneak peek to the QPAC 40 Open Day

Thu 28 Aug 2025

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC) Collections Team and 612 ABC Radio Brisbane have given the public a sneak peek of some of the interesting history which will be on show at the QPAC 40 Open Day on Sunday 31 August 2025.

Collections Manager Helen Sims spoke about the unseen work which goes into each show at QPAC. The public will have a rare chance to go behind the curtain at the Open Day, with QPAC staff providing insight into their areas of expertise.

"It looks so slick and beautiful on the stage, but behind the curtain it's just madness," Ms Sims said.

"What we're uncovering is everybody's memories, everybody's stories, and the work behind the work."

On display in the Lyric Foyer will be an exhibition of hand-picked pieces from the QPAC Collection of more than 100,000 items including costumes, props, photographs, and memorabilia.

Collections Officer Erica Hart spoke with Steve Austin on ABC Mornings about why these pieces are important to all of Queensland, while also sharing details about some of the more quirky parts of the collection.

Watch a clip of her interview below and read more about the stories they had to share here.

Make sure to listen to 612 ABC Radio Brisbane in the coming days as they share more behind-the-scenes history from QPAC celebrating four decades of joy, gathering, inclusion and stories.

As part of QPAC’s 40th birthday celebrations, everyone purchasing a ticket in 2025 will go in the draw to win a brand-new Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid, thanks to QPAC’s Principal Partner, Hyundai. 

For further information on the QPAC 40 program and to share and submit your QPAC memories, visit the QPAC website. 

The QPAC 40 Open Day is supported by 612 ABC Radio Brisbane. The organ recitals are supported by QPAC Principal Partner MinterEllison. 

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