What an incredible year RAV Members Yea Arts Inc have had! This passionate community organisation has been creating a thriving arts community in Murrindindi Shire, and this year they’ve truly outdone themselves.
Who Are Yea Arts Inc?
For those new to Yea Arts, it’s a dedicated community organisation bringing the arts alive in their region. The organisation is made up of several vibrant groups, each with its own special focus: Showtime brings professional touring shows and performances to Yea; YAPPERS, the beloved local theatre group, creates and presents original productions; the Youth Engagement program nurtures the next generation of creative talent; and the Business of Art initiative supports local artists and creatives with practical skills and knowledge.
The vision is simple but powerful – to create a thriving arts community. And with membership at just $15 per year, they’re making it easy for everyone to be part of this exciting journey!
A Year of Amazing Achievements
This year has been particularly special, packed with events that have brought the Murrindindi community together in celebration of the arts.
Professional Performances That Dazzled – Showtime has been busy bringing top-tier entertainment to the community. They were thrilled to present three exceptional shows: the legendary Keith Potger captivated audiences with his musical mastery; David Arden brought his unique talents to the stage; and NIUSIA coming on 18 October 2025.
YAPPERS Takes Centre Stage – The local theatre group delivered laughs aplenty with their production of “They Came From Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church.” It was community theatre at its finest, showcasing the incredible talent right here in Yea.
Nurturing Young Talent – Yea Arts ran a Youth Theatre Lighting Workshop, giving teenage community members hands-on experience with the technical side of theatre production – because great performances need great lighting!
Supporting Creative Entrepreneurs – The Business of Art program has been a runaway success, delivering 16 workshops across the Shire. Every single workshop was oversubscribed, proving just how hungry the creative community is for skills and knowledge to support their artistic ventures. RAV staff will be heading to Yea on 18 October for a special RAV In Residence focusing on professional development for artists who are interested in working with regional galleries.
The Crown Jewel: High Voltage
But the absolute highlight of the year has been High Voltage with Joseph O’Farrell – a Shire-wide guitar extravaganza that exceeded all expectations! From pitch to performance in just seven months, this show on 7 September 2025 was nothing short of spectacular.
The numbers tell the story: 55 local people aged 4 to 75 took part, including over 15 students from Yea High School performing with their band, 10 members of the local backup band, 12 talented local guitarists, and a dazzling array of dancers from Dindi Dance Studio. It was a true celebration of the community’s musical talent and a testament to what can be achieved when people work together. (Check out Yea Arts’ social media pages for photos and videos!)
The Vision Behind the Success
Much of Yea Arts’ growth and success can be attributed to the dedication and vision of Allan Thatcher. Allan has been an integral part of Yea Arts since 2013, initially serving as Secretary before stepping into the role of President in 2021.
Allan’s work on the Yea Arts Inc Committee has been pivotal in fostering collaboration with local groups, organisations, and mentors, helping to develop Yea Arts’ footprint in the arts and creative sector. By drawing on the talents of the committee members and building strong partnerships across the region, he has helped create an organisation that truly serves and celebrates the artistic spirit of the community.
The leadership of the Yea Arts Inc Committee has guided the organisation to undergo a significant transformation. The Committee Members were instrumental in reorganising Yea Arts from being solely a presenter of shows into the dynamic four-armed structure it is today: Showtime, YAPPERS, the Youth Engagement program, and the Business of Art group. This evolution has allowed the organisation to touch more lives and support a broader range of creative endeavours throughout the community.
The success of the last year stands as a testament to this collaborative vision and the hard work of everyone involved in making Yea Arts the thriving hub it is today.
Image: High Voltage, September 2025. Photo: RossPicsbyRoss
Posted 6 October 2025