West Gippsland Arts Centre celebrates landmark year

Published on 21 December 2023

West Gippsland Arts Centre (WGAC) is wrapping up one of its biggest ever years since opening and the lineup for 2024 is looking very exciting.

Popular Australian comedian Kitty Flanagan was one of many big acts to take the stage at WGAC this year and had more than 730 audience members in one show when she visited Baw Baw in March, while Australian comedy duo Lano and Woodley weren’t far behind with 724.

The Arts Centre also boasted nearly 160 performances in 2023 and held 276 functions – one of the biggest years on record for the precinct. Revenue from ticket sales for the 2022/23 financial year were up by approximately 50% on the previous year financial year, from approximately $1 million to $1.5 million.

The official opening of Coffee Vibes in May this year also marked an exciting milestone for WGAC and Baw Baw Shire Council. The social enterprise cafe is delivered in partnership between Council and Knoxbrooke to provide valuable employment opportunities for people living with a disability.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe said the addition of the café to the Arts Centre has contributed to an even more welcoming atmosphere at the local precinct, and she is proud of the social benefits it brings to the community.

“Coffee Vibes has been a hit right from the start and it’s wonderful that Council can partner with disability service providers such as Knoxbrooke to support people living with a disability,” the Mayor said.

Coffee Vibes operates each day from 8am - 3pm and is a fully accessible facility capable of accommodating people with mobility support needs. All profits generated are reinvested back into Knoxbrooke’s local disability support services and other social enterprises. 

Coffee Vibes will be closed for the holiday period from 3pm on Thursday 21 December, reopening at 8am on Monday 8 January 2024.

In August this year, Knoxbrooke expanded the team at Coffee Vibes, welcoming six new supported employees, bringing the total to eight.

Make sure you visit Coffee Vibes when you’re at the Arts Centre this summer, with an exciting calendar of upcoming events planned at the precinct.

WGAC is pleased to announce the 2024 Daylight Entertainment Season with a delightful selection of shows. Ticket prices have been heavily reduced and complimentary tea and coffee will be served prior to each performance.

There are a total of nine daylight entertainment shows catering to all tastes, starting with I Love Paris on Friday 23 February at 11:00am. Eight more shows will run throughout 2024, including:

• The Billy Joel Story (Friday 15 March at 11:00am)
• NEWK: The John Newcombe Story (Wednesday 24 April at 1:30pm)
• Melinda Schneider: A Farewell to Doris (Friday 10 May at 11:00am)
• It’s De-Lovely: A Celebration of Cole Porter (Friday 28 June at 11:00am)
• The Australian Michael Bublé Show (Friday 30 August at 11:00am)
• Broadway Bound (Friday 18 October at 11:00am)
• Ray Charles and Friends (Friday 22 November at 11:00am), and
• A Very Aussie Christmas (Friday 6 December at 11:00am).

To find out more, see what other performances are coming up, or to purchase tickets you can either visit sales.wgac.com.au or head to the Box Office in person, located on the Corner of Smith and Albert Streets, Warragul (10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday).