QPAC

One of the things we love most about the Tech Connect program is seeing the different ways our partner venues are supporting trainees across Queensland. This edition we're heading to the Townsville Civic Theatre, where Amy Ward has quickly become a valued member of the technical team. 

Over the past few months, Amy has worked across multiple departments, gaining experience in audio, lighting, staging and venue operations while supporting a wide range of productions, from touring shows to performances by local amateur dramatic companies and the Townsville Choral Society. 

According to Head of Audio, Mark, Amy has shown a real aptitude for sound. 

"She has a fantastic attitude, learns incredibly quickly and has a really strong work ethic. She's become really confident working on floor sound and is always keen to learn something new." 

Like many regional venues, Townsville relies on a small, highly skilled technical team. Creating opportunities for young people to enter the industry has become increasingly important, particularly as many experienced technicians approach retirement. 

Technical Manager Rohan Thomas says the Tech Connect bursary was instrumental in allowing the venue to participate in the program. 

"Without the bursary, having a trainee simply wouldn't have been possible." 

He also explained that regional pathways into technical production are becoming increasingly limited. 

"Many young people leave Townsville after school because they don't realise careers like this exist. Years ago, there were formal training opportunities through James Cook University, but those pathways no longer exist. Programs like Tech Connect are helping bridge that gap." 

The program is also helping create opportunities for greater diversity within the industry. 

Technical production has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, particularly in regional Queensland, making it incredibly encouraging to see a young woman like Amy building a career behind the scenes. 

For the Townsville team, investing in trainees isn't just about supporting one person—it's about building the future workforce for the region and ensuring local venues continue to have skilled technicians for years to come.