Cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday by the Hastings Choristers helped celebrate 10 years of the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie.
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Dozens of Glasshouse members, staff, volunteers and members of the public gathered on July 1, to reflect and celebrate the great array of shows, plays and events which now come to Port Macquarie thanks to the Glasshouse.
Marketing coordinator Liz Brennan said after a controversial beginning the Port Macquarie-Hastings community soon embraced the building on Clarence Street.
"Ten years ago we opened and at first people came in their hundreds, and now they come in their thousands to buy tickets, sit in the theatre, visit the gallery, attend educational shows and even register for Ironman," Ms Brennan said.
"Today we age into the double digits and we are so proud the Glasshouse offers something for everyone. It is humbling to see how much the Glasshouse means to the community."
Ten years ago we opened and at first people came in their hundreds, and now they come in their thousands to buy tickets, sit in the theatre, attend educational shows and even register for Ironman
- Liz Brennan
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peta Pinson said since it opened in 2009, the Glasshouse has become a key centre for high quality cultural, community and commercial activities on the Mid North Coast.
"While it started out with rocky beginnings our beloved Glasshouse has definitely grown into a popular and well-visited venue by locals and visitors," Cr Pinson said.
"Our community has embraced the Glasshouse and it is hard to imagine life without it."
When the Glasshouse first opened, Port Macquarie's Trish Davis secured Glasshouse membership number 1 and said 10 years on, the building is just as wonderful.
"I remember when they had the plans drawn up for the building and even from back then they had me," Ms Davis said.
"The Glasshouse is such a wonderful facility and we are so lucky to have an incredible venue right here in town.
"I used to travel to Sydney quite a bit to watch plays and go to the theatre but since the opening it has been wonderful to come and see world class acts right here."
Ms Davis said she can still remember the first show she came to at the Glasshouse all those years ago.
"It was an international choral conference with singers from all over the world coming to Port Macquarie and it was just so mind blowing," she said.
"Regardless of how we got the Glasshouse, it has certainly benefited everyone since it opened."
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