The Ballet Society: a practical legacy

If you are a fan of the Australian Ballet and would like to be more involved, the Ballet Society might be the place for you. 

The organisation has existed to support both the Australian Ballet and the Australian Ballet School since it was founded in Victoria in February, 1966.

At the time, the late Dame Peggy Van Praagh, founding Artistic Director of the Company, and Dame Margaret Scott, founding Director of the School, needed financial and practical help. To meet those needs a group of ballet lovers from around Melbourne formed The Ballet Society, Victoria, and set about raising funds and initially providing the basic essentials such as washing machine and dryers.

Friends of the Australian Ballet was formed in 1973 in NSW. In South Australia, the Australian Ballet Forum was co-founded by Beverley Brown and the late Lorna Hurford in 1992.

In 2022, the three support organisations changed their name to the Ballet Society. Members are devoted, long-term, multi-generational supporters and advocates of the artform, the Company and School.

Each year they raise funds which flow back to support the productions and dancers. Events are held which connect patrons, members, followers and guests to with the Company and the School. 

Through memberships and events it has raised funds to

• Support students at the Australian Ballet School offering scholarships and bursaries with many of todays artists recipients of this support with their training.

• Assist with staging new and old works such as Possum Magic, The Ballet for the School

• Sponsor the character of Prince Siegfried in the 2023 AB production of Swan Lake

• Support company dancers to further their academic dance qualifications

• Join other sponsors with financial support for the annual national tour

And so much more.

For further information see the website and contact Sara Reece on 03 9669 2591.