If you have a positive testimonial about the music program, please share below.

As someone who deeply cherishes the vibrant music scene in Cairns, the closure of the TAFE Music Department strikes a personal chord. This region is a tapestry of rhythms and melodies, woven together by passionate educators and the blossoming local talent that emerges from accessible learning pathways. Music education is the cornerstone of this artistic ecosystem, nurturing the next generation of performers, sound engineers, and creatives who infuse life into our stages and rhythm into our community.

Despite its immense cultural value, the TAFE Music Department at Cairns Campus faces an uncertain future due to funding and administrative decisions. We urge decision-makers to halt the closure of this vital institution, which serves as a bastion for music education and a launchpad for countless careers in the arts. Every future concert, festival, and performance in Cairns carries the legacy of the teachers, alumni, and students who have passed through those doors.

Instead of dismantling this pivotal program, consult with key stakeholders—industry professionals, educators, students, and alumni—who understand the department's significance and can contribute innovative solutions to ensure its sustainability. Exploring alternatives is crucial so that music education continues to thrive and evolve, meeting the needs of students while enriching our cultural landscape.

• This closure follows James Cook University’s recent removal of its Creative Arts major. Central Queensland University’s programs are now delivered predominantly online, TAFE stands as Cairns' last remaining provider of practical, in-person music education.
  
  
• Music education access in Queensland is deeply unequal, especially for regional students.  Music programs are frequently deprioritised in crowded curricula, and regional schools face chronic staff shortages and resource gaps. Instrumental tuition is often “user pays,” excluding low-income families and widening the opportunity gap.   TAFE plays a vital role in bridging this divide, offering inclusive programs that support First Nations and disadvantaged students.
  
  
• Music is not a luxury—it’s a scientifically validated tool for mental health.  Research consistently demonstrates that music education enhances psychological wellbeing, fosters emotional resilience, and supports youth development. In regions like Cairns, where access to mental health services is often limited, music education serves as both a preventative and therapeutic resource. The presence of TAFE as the sole provider of in-person music training in the area makes it a critical safeguard for youth mental health and a pillar of social cohesion.
  
  
• Music education is not just about learning scales or mastering instruments—it’s about cultivating a shared cultural identity. In regional communities like Cairns, where diverse traditions converge and local heritage is deeply valued, music serves as a living archive of stories, languages, and collective memory.
  
  
• Music education in Cairns is essential to sustaining the region’s cultural identity and tourism appeal, nurturing the local talent that powers festivals, Indigenous performances, and live events. Without institutions like TAFE, the cultural vibrancy and global reputation of Cairns as a welcoming, creative destination would be at serious risk.
  
  
• Preserving TAFE’s music program in Cairns is not just about safeguarding jobs or curriculum—it’s about investing in the cultural, economic, and emotional wellbeing of an entire region. The evidence is clear: music matters.

Please join me in advocating for the preservation of the TAFE Music Department at Cairns Campus. Your signature can help safeguard a key cultural institution and assure that Cairns remains a beacon for music lovers and creators. Sign the petition to halt the closure and support the future of music education in our region.