Community
17 April, 2026
Anzac show proves popular
COMMUNITY members enjoyed a step back in time musically last week with a special concert.
The ‘Spirit of the Anzacs and Vets’ concert saw a crowd of 165 attending a show full of nostalgia and patriotism.
Corangamite Shire Council coordinator Positive Ageing Access and Inclusion Belinda Rowbottom said the concert was part of the ageing and inclusion program offered by council.
“We had a great crowd and they were very enthusiastic,” she said.
“Even in hard economic times people like to get out and socialise.”
Tenor Roy Best, soprano Alison Jones, pianist William Schmidt and narrator and compere Christopher McKenna honoured Anzac history and Vietnam veterans through the music hits of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s as well as letters and stories.
Promac Productions founder and director Chris McKenna said the company was pleased to be able to perform in Camperdown – something they hadn’t done for close to 20 years.
“It’s a really artsy town – I hadn’t realised how arts-oriented the town had become,” he said.
“We had a lot of people come up to us after the show – because we had a meet-and-greet – and there was a real audience for morning music.
“Belinda Rowbottom and her team did an exceptional job to get the audience they had, and we hope it encourages them to do more of these morning shows designed for the senior ratepayers of the community to see professional shows during daylight hours.
“The show was received beautifully.
“It was very well attended, and the audience loved it.”
The production is the only fully sanctioned production permitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to use the Anzac name.
Mr McKenna said he hoped to see more high-quality performances in Camperdown.
“There’s no performing arts at Colac anymore – it’s just a cinema – so this is a great opportunity for the Theatre Royal and Camperdown to really cultivate an 11am audience,” he said.
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