Bridges Health & Community Care invites the community to a day of celebration, music, and memory-making at the historic Wintergarden Theatre on Saturday 28 June.
A full day program will bring the beloved venue back to life, honouring its legacy and launching new creative wellbeing initiatives through its BridgeWorx program.
The day begins at 9 am with a Welcome to Country and the Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club display outside.
The official opening of Showtime: A History of the Wintergarden Theatre 1929–1968 will be at 9.30 am, a nostalgic exhibition curated by Trudie Leigo with researcher Delwyn Ainsworth.
Featuring rare photographs, memorabilia, and community stories, the exhibition pays tribute to the theatre’s golden years as Bundaberg’s cultural heart.
“This exhibition features rarely seen historical photos and objects,” curator Trudie Leigo said.
“It’s an invitation for the community to reconnect with a space that holds deep personal and cultural significance.”
At 11.30 am and 12.30 pm you can book into a guided tour of the Wintergarden to see the spaces renovated by Bundaberg Regional Council and Murchie Constructions through the award-winning architectural designs of Tomas O’Malley.
At 3 pm, the stage will come to life with MEMORIES, a nostalgic musical performance by Redhead Productions. Featuring beloved classics such as Both Sides Now, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, and Danny Boy, alongside musical theatre favourites like All I Ask of You (Phantom of the Opera), If I Were a Rich Man (Fiddler on the Roof), and a stirring Les Misérables medley, this heartfelt show is a fitting tribute to the historic Wintergarden Theatre.
“MEMORIES by Redhead Productions is a curated performance of nostalgic songs designed to tug at your sentimental heartstrings,” Bex Hutchins of Redhead Productions said.
“This heartfelt show is a fitting tribute to the historic Wintergarden Theatre. Let this special performance stir your soul—and create even more unforgettable memories.”
Bridges CEO Sharon Sarah said she saw the event as more than an exhibition and a performance — stating it marked a new chapter.
“We are proud to re-open the Wintergarden under the stewardship of Bridges as a place for community programs and events that contribute to the arts, health and wellbeing of the Wide Bay community.
“These events capture everything we stand for: connection, community, and creativity. It’s about honouring the past while shaping a positive, inclusive future.”
Event details – Saturday 28 June at the Wintergarden Theatre
Location: 2 Maryborough Street, Bundaberg Central
• 9 am – Welcome to Country
• 9 am – 1 pm – Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club Display
• 9:30 am – 1 pm – Showtime Exhibition Opening – FREE
• 11.30 am and 12.30 pm – Guided Tour of Wintergarden – FREE but bookings essential limited places
• 3 pm – MEMORIES by Redhead Productions – Tickets $35
Bookings at: events.humanitix.com/host/bridgeworx
The exhibition has received support from the Bundaberg Regional Council Regional Arts Development Fund.
RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
