Thanks to everyone who made it along to the North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust annual general meeting last night.

It was great to catch up with Friends of The PumpHouse members, hirers, funders and members of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board too.

We’re thrilled so many people take an interest in what we’re doing to keep The PumpHouse Theatre thriving.

Guest speaker Andrew Caisley, Board member of Creative New Zealand, gave the audience an overview of CNZ’s history, activities and some of the challenges that come with Government funding for the arts.

While we knew lottery sales contributed to arts funding, we didn’t realise this extended to prize money!  The more first division lotto winners, the less arts funding there is for the following year.

Funding arts and community services from gambling proceeds is a moral dilemma for many grass roots community organisations. We’ll be interested to see the recommendations of the review of gambling regulations currently being undertaken by the Department of Internal Affairs.

In the theatre the North Shore’s Scout and Guides are hard at work building an impressive-looking set for A Raft of Good Tales, opening next Thursday.

If you’ve never seen a Gang Show before its quite an experience.  For some of the young people involved its the spark of a life-long love of performing, for others, it will be their only time on stage.

Grab some kids and come along for a family-friendly variety show of comedy and music with a nautical theme.