Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
SOUTH Australia should make Generations in Jazz the marquee event of its bustling calendar, former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett says.
The return attendee of the annual weekend jazz festival praised the “understated asset”, saying it was a coup for not only Mount Gambier and South Australia, but the entire nation.
“James Morrison is very clever because with his international reputation he can bring artists from around the world and these are the people you normally would not see in Australia,” he said.
“He was clever when he moved his academy, which was associated with the university based in Adelaide.
“This event has been going for over 20 years, well before the academy came here, but James has put the two together in a sense that gives it a name and a brand.”
Mr Kennett, whose attendance at the 2019 event marks his third consecutive year, praised the performing artists for contributing to the “wholesome” event.
“We come here every year now simply because we love the atmosphere, we love what it represents and we love there are so many children here joined together by music and testing their skills,” he said.
“To think we get all of these schools and children in one place both competing, but also learning from those who are their superiors in jazz here in Australia and overseas is extraordinary.”
“I have a lot of time for Steven Marshall, I think he is an excellent Premier, but I will tell him when he returns from overseas that if I was he, I would make this event the marquee event for South Australia’s major events.
“There is nothing like it in Australia.”
Tourism Minister David Ridgway said he was unsure what else the State Government could do to help the event grow, but said the state’s Tourism Commission could promote the region to increase visitation.
He said private investment in hotels or other accommodation was necessary to continue to cater for the expanding number of participants and spectators.
“There is not a (vacant) hotel room within 100km of Mount Gambier,” he said.
“Naracoorte is full, Millicent is full, I hear people are travelling from Portland as schools are staying there.
“It is reaching a point where it needs to continue to grow and I am sure the community will grow with it.”
In response to a question on whether the State Government would consider granting the festival major event status, which would provide organisers access to event-specific funds, Mr Ridgway said it was unlikely the status change would lead to a bigger and more important event.
