Mackay's own young artist meets Opera Queensland Young Artist

It was a meeting of musical minds when the Mackay Arts Festival's own recently crowned 'Young Emerging Artist' came face to face with one of Opera Queensland's own Young Artists, soprano Emily Burke, and former Young Artist, tenor Virgilio Marino.

Mackay's Autumn Skuthorpe, a year 12 student, met the stars of Opera Queensland's production The Magic Flute, thanks to Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Hail Creek Mine. Rio Tinto Coal Australia sponsors Emily Burke in Opera Queensland's 2008 Young Artist Programme, and was Virgilio's sponsor when he was a member of the programme in 2006.

Seventeen year-old Autumn, who has grown up with a love for local theatre, works hard as a volunteer to encourage other young people to embrace the arts.

"I have been involved with the arts from a young age and to be given the opportunity to meet people who also have an appreciation for the arts and are experts in the field, was an experience I will never forget," Autumn said.

"It was great to meet Emily and hear about her experience with the TV series OperatunityOz, and Virgilio, who is a real professional and is starring in lots of shows."

Hail Creek Mine General Manager Operations, Andrew Woodley, said: "Rio Tinto Coal Australia has been a long-term sponsor of Opera Queensland's Young Artist Program, to help emerging new talent to develop their professional skills and capacity through training and experience.

"It's a similar approach to how we support and develop opportunities for our young mining graduates, and for people living in the communities which neighbour our mine sites.

"We are proud to support Opera Queensland and provide opportunities for budding young performers like Autumn. We are pleased to be able to help create these sorts of opportunities in regional areas like Mackay."

Autumn said; "As a young person, living in a regional area, I feel we are given unique opportunities in comparison to cities and this was just one of them, thanks to Rio Tinto Coal Australia."

Proud mother, Gina, who works at Hail Creek Mine, said Autumn has always had a passion for the arts.

"I am extremely proud of her achievements and her involvement with the arts," Ms Whatuira said.

"Autumn recently wrote and produced a play for the local theatre group and just this month won the Zonta International Mackay Youth Women's Public Speaking Award.

"She has a lot of drive and for her to be given the chance to meet professional artists and to be given an insight into what it's like to work in the performing arts, was wonderful."

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Alison Smith
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
07 3361 4223 / 0438 787 038

Media release - Mackay's own young artist meets Opera Queensland Young Artist [PDF: 23 KB]