Friday, 27 September 2024
Sydney Opera House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Thank you, Michelle,[1]

Bujari gamarura

Diyn babana gamarada

In greeting you in the beautiful language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of these lands and waterways, I too pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and future.

There are times when it truly hits home how lucky we are to live in this astonishing city.

Today is one of those days.

Even when the weather is not quite its usual perfection, to be here in this beautiful setting, jutting out into a harbour described by Captain Arthur Phillip, first Governor of NSW, as “without exception the finest […] in the World”[2], in wonderful company, and, of course, experiencing some of the world’s most beautiful music, is a privilege not to be taken for granted.

And speaking of privileges, thank you for the privilege of being your joint Patrons.

I’m not going to delay you long, part of the art of a privileged position is knowing when you are not the main game… which is mostly. We are here today for an important reason, and that is to help ensure that the essential purpose of this iconic building remains, as was always intended, to be a gathering space for everyone, regardless of class or wealth, for, in the words of Premier Joseph Cahill in 1954, in announcing his intention to have an Opera House built, “a better and more enlightened community.”[3]

As Sir Robert Askin, Premier at the time of the Opera House’s opening 19 years later in 1973, said, in his speech on the occasion:

This is indeed the people’s opera house. They have built it, they have financed it, and their continued support will ensure that here there will be performances which will bring that artistic and cultural satisfaction which must be a part of a truly rounded community life.[4]

In speaking of a ‘truly rounded community life’, in 1973, Sir Robert would have had no conception that the Opera House sails would be emblazoned on a football Guernsey – as they do on the mighty Sydney Swans – or that AFL would be the centrepiece of great theatre, as it was in David Williamson’s The Club. Hopefully, tomorrow at the MCG will be a vindication of one aspect of a truly rounded community life.

But let me return to why we are here today.

One of the lesser-known facts in the history of the construction of the Opera House is the contribution made by the Sydney Opera House Ladies Committee – founded in August 1957, a year-and-a-half before construction began.[5]

I am told the very first major fundraising event organised by the Ladies Committee was a Sydney Opera House Easter Ball at the Town Hall, with Sir Eric Woodward, 31^st Governor of NSW, and Lady Woodward as guests of honour.[6] 

8 Governors later, the Committee is still going strong, supporting the Opera House’s core mission and raison d’être: bringing arts and culture to all, ensuring everyone – no matter their background – has access.

Last year, Louise Herron, the Opera House’s CEO, announced the Committee had raised over $1 million for the Trust over the years –more than any other philanthropic group in the history of the Sydney Opera House[7]. Your efforts are recognised on the Honour Board at the entrance, which you can see as you leave today.

As we know, the Committee is presently raising funds for two important initiatives managed by the Sydney Opera House, which assist and encourage students from schools with special needs or economic disadvantage[8], as well people in the community living with a disability[9], to attend events and performances here.

Annual targets – after a challenge from Louise – have been lifted in recent years and, with the generosity of many of you, were achieved on the eve of the 50th Anniversary, and again in 2023; I am told they are on track for a similar result this year.

As new Patrons, Dennis and I congratulate and thank you, Michelle, and all the Committee for your efforts over so many years (especially Marie Tysoe[10] – a little birdie tells me she has been a member for 27 years!).

We also thank all of you, the supporters whose generosity makes everything possible.

[1] Ms Michelle Feehan, President, Sydney Opera House Ladies Committee.

[2] Arthur Phillip, in ‘Letter to the Marquis of Lansdowne, 3 July 1788’, State Library of NSW Archives online, available here

[3] Joseph Cahill, from a speech delivered at a 1954 conference to build support for the idea, quoted in Ursula Malone, ‘The People’s House’, ABC News website, available here

[4] Sir Robert Askin, in speech at the Official Opening of the Opera House, quoted in “’The People’s House”: What’s in a Name?’, Museums of History NSW website, available here

[5] “On 2 March 1959, a crowd gathered under umbrellas, in the rain, to watch the ceremony that marked the start of construction of the Sydney Opera House. Jørn Utzon had arrived in Sydney a week earlier with a bronze plaque that was placed at the point where the axes of the two halls would intersect. NSW Premier Joseph Cahill screwed the plaque into place and jackhammering immediately began. The plaque can still be seen on the steps today”: ‘Our Story: Construction Begins’, Sydney Opera House website, available here

[6] ‘Who are We?’, Sydney Opera Ladies Committee website, available here

[7] Information provided by Michelle Feehan.

[8] ‘Arts Assist Ticket and Travel Subsidy Program’, Sydney Opera House website, available here

[9] ‘Access programs’, Sydney Opera House website, available here

[10] Ms Marie Tysoe OAM. Ms Tysoe received her OAM in 2015 for “service to the performing arts, particularly as an opera singer, and to the community”: It’s an Honour website, available here