First month of The World Incubator ends in a flourish of country music and celebration
When I drove to work today, I was greeted by a main street adorned with gum trees, romantic country-themed window displays, and hoardes of people wearing jeans and boots.
It's all in the name of the Charters Towers Country Music Festival, a key part of the Ten Days in the Towers annual event.
The ten days are an excuse for Charters Towers locals and businesses to show off their culture and history, and have a good old party to celebrate the city.
I don't think it could have come at a better time, as The World Incubator marks its first month. The Incubator's core aim of refuelling community strength and spirit is reflected in the smiling faces of the people on the streets right now kicking off the jam-packed weekend.
How can one music festival change the mood of a regional city?
In quite a big way, actually.
The festival has been running for almost 40 years and has unearthed some big talents, inluding Brendon Walmsley and Samantha McClymont. Charters Towers takes great pride in the festival, a huge claim to fame that really sets the regional city apart.
And that very profile is being captured by one of the hopeful entrepreneurs in The World Incubator, country music artist Tony Cook, who wants to set up a recording studio targeted towards young people.
He says by capturing the exisitng talent and expertise in Charters Towers, a successful business venture could hatch and shine the spotlight even brighter on the city's music scene.
Using what you've got
This brings me once again to the value of sticking to what you're good at, and expanding on it. If people, communities, cities and countries harness their talents, it can lead to a revolution.
Okay, maybe that's going a bit far, but I see that great things happen when people believe in themselves, better themselves, and put their heart and soul into it every step of the way.
The World Incubator
Mellissah Smith is the Chairperson of The World Incubator, a not-for-profit business incubator in rural Queensland. Currently the incubator is situation in Wherry House in Charters Towers, North Queensland and houses 10 startups. The World Incubator is host to North Queensland’s largest entrepreneurs conference with all proceeds going to helping rural and regional startups and farmers. Book tickets on www.nqecon.com.au.
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Comment
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Bridget Barrie
Friday, 29 April 2016
What do you mean by 'downtrodden regional city?' I lived in Charters Towers for almost 30 years and I don't think you could or should describe its citizens as downtrodden.
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