General News
6 November, 2024
One-time opponent admits he was wrong as Civic Centre turns 50
Tony McGrady was a fierce opponent of the Mount Isa Civic Centre but admits he got it wrong.
The Mount Isa Civic Centre turns 50 this week.
It is difficult to think of our city without that hulking construction seated between the council chambers and the library.
For the most part, we take for granted that a city our size in our location could own and operate a large and versatile entertainment space for such a long period of time.
But it is a building that was mired in controversy when it was first proposed, and it deeply divided the burgeoning city to the point that some Mount Isa councillors lost elected office as a result of its construction.
Tony McGrady jokes that he hasn’t had to admit to being wrong many times during his long public life – but the Civic Centre is a standout.
A young McGrady was a vocal critic of the construction of the Civic Centre – writing letters to the editor and making a range of strong public statements against the idea.
In fact, he told North West Weekly that looking back on this time, he believes his opposition to the Civic Centre increased his public profile to the point where it likely had a significant impact on his election as a councillor at the 1973 local government elections.
“My objections at the time were due to my belief that Mount Isa was still a growing town, and I believed there were more important things to build before we constructed a Civic Centre,” Mr McGrady recalled.
“At the time, those who opposed it believed it would be a facility that would only benefit the privileged few and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
“But I am happy to admit that I have been proven wrong.
“The Civic Centre has become a true centrepiece of Mount Isa – and having a theatre of such quality in the middle of the Australian Outback has attracted some real talent to perform there, which possibly never would have occurred without the Civic Centre.
“Plus, it gave our kids in the city a big stage where they could entertain in a modern facility.”
In 2024 the Civic Centre is a mainstay in our community – it is iconic and cherished for its versatility – hosting theatrical productions, comedy nights, job fairs, awards ceremonies and the list goes on.
Whenever there is a major cultural happening or public meeting occurring in the city, it is almost assumed the Civic Centre is one of the locations where it is likely to be held.
The Civic Centre provides a cultural space that allows residents to overcome the tyranny of distance – with a range of entertainers willing to make the long trek to Mount Isa because we have an appropriate facility for their performances.
The $2.5 million Civic Centre was formally opened on a cloudless day on November 9, 1974 in a gala that featured a prominent cast of entertainers including Paul Hogan, Barry Humphries and Barry Crocker.
Cutting the ribbon at the opening was then-Premier Joh Bjelke-Peterson.
Sitting among the front seats was newly minted Mount Isa councillor Anthony McGrady.
A faded plaque commemorating the event sits next to the foyer entrance doors to this day.
As he looks over the mounted memento, Mr McGrady runs down the list of his fellow councillors who watched the proceedings at the grand opening day.
He recalls that only one of those councillors had survived reelection the year prior, when controversy around local events, including the Civic Centre construction, saw a seismic shift in the council make up that brought Mr McGrady his first political office.
Construction of the Civic Centre – which included a new library building – began in 1972.
Prior to that, the area was a lush green lawn that backed onto the Leichhardt River – complete with a rotunda where the popular local silver band would perform and public speeches would be made, including during industrial actions at Mount Isa Mines.
The idea to construct a Civic Centre had enveloped the town for almost a decade, with newspaper reporting during the height of the Mount Isa Mines dispute of 1964 still finding space to include stories about town planners forming steering committees to create construction designs for the proposed entertainment precinct.
Mr McGrady said the Civic Centre had long overcome its controversy and had stood the test of time – providing multiple generations with a central meeting point.
“It has gone through changes over the decades, many people come through its doors, and it has had sections added and removed,” he said.
“But now it is hard to think of Mount Isa without it.”
To celebrate 50 years of the Mount Isa Civic Centre there will be a free concert on Friday (November 8) from 7.30pm featuring local performers from The Music Shack as well as Australian Idol finalist Ivana Ilic.
