On 31 May The Australian Ballet School held its annual premier fundraising event – Gala 2019.
We welcomed both long-time supporters and new friends to the school to Metropolis in Southbank for an evening of fine dining, exquisite company and exclusive choreography and dance. We were delighted to be joined by special guests including the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Mr Kazuyoshi Matsunaga and his wife Mrs Yoko Matsunaga, and our Patron Lady Southey AC.
We raised significant vital funds to support The Australian Ballet School, our students, and the future of ballet in Australia. The evening was marked by presentations from Acting Chair Robin Campbell, Philanthropy Committee Chair ZIch Zichy-Woinarski QC and Director Lisa Pavane. We were also joined by alumna Serena Graham who shared her heart-warming experience of coming up through the School to become a corps de ballet dancer with The Australian Ballet. We also heard from her mother and current member of the Family Support Programme, Ann-Maree Graham, who shared her unique experiences as both the parent of a student and an employed graduate.
Our guests were treated to three beautiful performances by our Level 8 students; a duet, choreographed by resident choreographer, Margaret Wilson; a solo, choreographed by Level 8 student Larissa Kiyoto-Ward and an ensemble performance choreographed by Level 8 Students Mathilda Ballantyne and Benjamin Garrett. We also acknowledged and awarded our retiring Board Director and Chair, Leigh Johns OAM, as an Honorary Life Member for his 17 years of service to The Australian Ballet School’s Board.
Event Photographs: Nicholas Forster
Media Photographs: Fiona Hamilton
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