RAA Newsletter - Issue 4, May 2008,

Drama tackles road crash dilemma in south east Queensland

The tragedy of road deaths involving young people is at the heart of CRASH, an arts project in Beaudesert in the Gold Coast region of Queensland. This mountainous region had the unpleasant distinction of the highest death rate in Australia of young people in road accidents, though it’s recently been edged out by an area of Queensland a little further west.

Beaudesert playwright and drama expert, Andrew Wright, says he couldn’t think of a better way of serving the youth of the mountain and the wider region. And CRASH has the backing of all levels of government, including the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund with assistance of $20,250.

“There are many reasons why so many young people lose their lives on roads around here. It’s a combination of a party culture, a macho culture, boredom, lack of other things to do and access to high-powered vehicles,” says Wright.

CRASH follows the notion that ‘There are no accidents’ and argues against the idea that road crashes are random events beyond our control. “When someone crashes there are reasons why it happened. Crashes are never accidental in the truest sense of the word. They are not random acts. They happen because of human decisions. The word ‘accident’ lets us off the hook,” Wright argues.

The project involves 30 young people researching the causes and consequences of car crashes, developing a script based on their findings and then, in August, presenting the play in the region. Wright says there is already considerable interest from other regional communities where it is anticipated the play will have an extended season.

The full length play tells the ‘fictional’ stories of several young people involved in a fatal car crash on the night of their high school formal.

The young people behind the project are working closely with local police, hospital and emergency workers, fire officers, ambulance officers and teachers. They are also talking to young people who have been involved in fatal crashes. These young people talk about the causes of accidents they were involved in, the behaviours and attitudes that led up to the crash, and how the crash has affected them in the long-term.

The play will be available for national distribution to schools by the end of 2008.

Further detailswww.myspace.com/crash_no_accidents

CRASH actors Angus Blackman (left) and Bronson Ramminger (right). Photo Annika Salisbury



Drama tackles road crash dilemma in south east Queensland The tragedy of road deaths involving young people is at the heart of CRASH, an arts project in Beaudesert in the Gold Coast region of Queensland. This mountainous region had the unpleasant distinction of the highest death rate in Australia of young people in road accidents, though it’s recently been edged out by an area of Queensland a little further west. Beaudesert playwright and drama expert, Andrew Wright, says he couldn’t think of a better way of serving the youth of the mountain and the wider region. And CRASH has the backing of all levels of government, including the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund with assistance of $20,250. “There are many reasons why so many young people lose their lives on roads around here. It’s a combination of a party culture, a macho culture, boredom, lack of other things to do and access to high-powered vehicles,” says Wright. CRASH follows the notion that ‘There are no accidents’ and argues against the idea that road crashes are random events beyond our control. “When someone crashes there are reasons why it happened. Crashes are never accidental in the truest sense of the word. They are not random acts. They happen because of human decisions. The word ‘accident’ lets us off the hook,” Wright argues. The project involves 30 young people researching the causes and consequences of car crashes, developing a script based on their findings and then, in August, presenting the play in the region. Wright says there is already considerable interest from other regional communities where it is anticipated the play will have an extended season. The full length play tells the ‘fictional’ stories of several young people involved in a fatal car crash on the night of their high school formal. The young people behind the project are working closely with local police, hospital and emergency workers, fire officers, ambulance officers and teachers. They are also talking to young people who have been involved in fatal crashes. These young people talk about the causes of accidents they were involved in, the behaviours and attitudes that led up to the crash, and how the crash has affected them in the long-term. The play will be available for national distribution to schools by the end of 2008. Further detailswww.myspace.com/crash_no_accidents	Back to main newsletter

Many of the projects in this newsletter have been supported by the Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional, remote and very remote/isolated Australia. Regional Arts Australia promotes the development of the arts for the one-in-three Australians who live in regional, rural and remote parts of the country. Our members give country Australians access to outstanding cultural experiences that are either home grown or tour from other towns and cities. In this way, Regional Arts Australia gives a voice to artists and puts culture at the heart of community life across country Australia.