{"id":364506,"date":"2025-09-11T23:00:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T13:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=364506"},"modified":"2025-09-12T14:23:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T04:23:59","slug":"mps-open-100000-gallery-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/09\/11\/mps-open-100000-gallery-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"MPs Open $100,000 Gallery Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Deputy Mayor Ros Heit, Wondai Regional Art Gallery co-ordinator Elaine Madill, Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek, member for Nanango and Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 11, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Wondai Regional Art Gallery’s new $100,000 extension was officially opened last Friday night in a small ceremony at the gallery.<\/p>\n

The extension has created an undercover, open-air area at the end of The Studio space which can be used for workshops and community events.<\/p>\n

Funding for the project was an election promise made by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington ahead of last year’s State poll.<\/p>\n

Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek travelled from Brisbane for the opening ceremony, which included a Welcome To Country by Cherbourg Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge.<\/p>\n

Minister Langbroek said the Wondai project was the first election promise in the Arts portfolio to be delivered since the election.<\/p>\n

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington also spoke, saying she was proud to have delivered this election commitment to her community.<\/p>\n

Gallery co-ordinator Elaine Madill told the crowd that nearly 6000 people pass through the gallery every year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was also a note of sadness to the occasion as two former Wondai residents, Michelle and Gil Smith, were noticeably absent.<\/p>\n

Michelle was treasurer at the gallery for more than 18 years, and Gil actually designed the extension.<\/p>\n

Tragically, their son Robert died in a boating accident on August 27 and his funeral was held on the day of the opening.<\/p>\n

Compere South Burnett Deputy Mayor Ros Heit asked everyone present to keep Robert’s family in their thoughts.<\/p>\n

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Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington officially open the extension as gallery co-ordinator Elaine Madill looks on<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff; Scott Martin, from Arts Queensland; and Deputy Mayor Ros Heit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mayor Kathy Duff, Cherbourg Council Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge and Cherbourg Council CEO Chatur Zala and his wife Beena<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Wondai residents Glenys and Roy Radunz with Susan Mellersh-Lucas, also from Wondai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pat and Alan Eagleson, from Mt McEuen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Kodi Sharp and Matt Walker, from Kingaroy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Leanne and Carl Dahms, from Tingoora<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Ashley Rewald, from Murgon, with Elaine Madill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Andrew Hobbs, Andrew Dascombe and Gaye Hobbs, from Wondai and Murgon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Gallery patron – and South Burnett Deputy Mayor – Ros Heit compered the opening ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Minister for the Arts and Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek spoke at the opening<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Wondai Regional Art Gallery presented gifts to their guests … from left, Ros Heit, Elaine Madill, Kathy Duff, gallery volunteer Linda Staines, Deb Frecklington and John-Paul Langbroek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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John-Paul Langbroek, Ros Heit, Deb Frecklington and Elaine Madill with the new gallery extension area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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There were so many people at the opening that some stayed outside in the rain! From left, Penny Ruthenberg, from Goomeri, and Bev O’Shannessy, from Wondai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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FLASHBACK: Work began earlier this year on the $100,000 extension to the Wondai Regional Art Gallery (Photo: Ros Heit)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n