“They did a couple of weddings in it. The roof started to leak, the floor started to rot, there were lots of expenses and no one wanting to pay for it.
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“There was a lock on the door from about 2013 up until two years ago.”
A deal was signed with Murweh Shire Council, and a crowdfunding campaign raised the $100,000 needed to dismantle and transport the structure to Brisbane.
Here it has been given a new roof, floor, stage and seats – ready for its close-up as the Augathella Spiegeltent, home of the Wynnum Fringe 2025.
“So that’s informed the theme for this year’s festival, which is bringing the bush to the bay, and celebrating everything that exists out in regional Queensland. And country music’s a big part of that.”
Launched by Oliver in 2020 in an attempt to give performers like himself some work during Covid, Wynnum Fringe ran for four Novembers in George Clayton Park on the Esplanade.
Clashes with locals over noise led to a hiatus in 2024, which gave Oliver time to find a new location at 166 Bay Terrace courtesy of longtime sponsors BMD Construction.
Musician Wesley Dean (aka Wes Carr) and Wynnum Fringe CEO Tom Oliver at the launch of Wynnum Fringe 2025.Credit: Matt Taylor
As well as Fringe regulars Rhonda Burchmore (hosting her variety show Rhonda’s After Party) and comedian Wil Anderson (Wiligitimate), and an exclusive show by Theo Katzman of LA funk band Vulfpeck, the 2025 festival includes country/Americana star Wesley Dean (aka Australian Idol winner Wes Carr) performing a series of songs called Confessions of a Crazy Heart.
“We travelled in an RV across the USA in 2023,” Sunshine Coast-based Dean explains.
“I played pop-up shows from Nashville to New Orleans, across to Marfa, Texas, in the hottest summer ever in history, and then we went Route 66 all the way to LA and up to San Fran.
“Every stop along the way, I garnered a new story, and, and I thought I’d write a show about it.”
Tex Perkins and Matt Walker will perform their country-tinged rock; burlesque show Railed! will put a Wild West spin on Magic Mike; and there’s even a country-style Bachelors and Spinsters Ball happening, with live country music and line dancing.
Brisbane-based Dolly Parton impersonator Brooke McMullen is also performing.
“My mum’s side of the family is originally from Tamworth and one of the first songs my nan taught me to sing was Coat of Many Colours by Dolly,” McMullen says.
Brooke McMullen will perform Dolly: I Will Always Love You, her Dolly Parton tribute show, in Wynnum Fringe 2025.Credit: David Lobwein
She has three costume and wig changes during the show that includes immortal hits like Jolene and Nine to Five.
“Having a theatre background, I approach it like a character, but it’s a character that I love so dearly.
“I think country music’s cool again. What is it they say? It’s three chords and the truth.”
As for Oliver, last month he signed an agreement with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Murweh Mayor Shaun “Zoro” Radnedge making Wynnum and Augathella sister suburbs.
“The site in Wynnum will be set up like a little pop-up embassy for Western Queensland,” Oliver says.
Wynnum Fringe 2025 runs July 2-20 at 166 Bay Terrace, Wynnum.
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