Community & Business
7 July, 2026
Students sign up for state arts event
ELEVEN bright young students from Mareeba State School and Mareeba State High will be off to Brisbane next week to perform at the state’s premier youth performing arts event.
The Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage (CGEN), this year themed “Dream Big: A Brighter Future”, will feature over 2,000 students from state schools performing as members of the prestigious Queensland Signing Choir, where they use Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
Now in its 22nd year, CGEN is nationally renowned for its professionally produced, award-winning showcase of Queensland state school talent.
Students work alongside some of Australia’s leading performers and industry professionals, with many stepping onto an arena stage for the first time while others take the next step in their performing arts journey.
The full program runs from February through to July and includes auditions, workshops, professional coaching and rehearsals, before six intensive days of dress rehearsals, run-throughs and final preparations.
The experience culminates in five performances from next Thursday to Saturday at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the production to be later televised nationally on Channel WIN.
“Being selected is a significant achievement, as students earnt their places through a competitive audition process,” Mareeba State School teacher Tahnee de Tournouer said.
“This is a proud moment for Mareeba. Both schools have a long association with CGEN and share a commitment to ensuring students of all abilities have opportunities to participate in the performing arts.
“We congratulate each of them on this exciting opportunity and wish them every success as they represent both their schools and the Mareeba community on one of Queensland’s biggest performing arts stages.”
