Who Are We?
Joint Patrons of the Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee from 1 July 2024
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of New South Wales and
Mr Dennis Wilson
The Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee (SOHLC) has a long, proud history of fundraising for the Opera House and its special programs since 1957. Funds currently raised will directly support the Sydney Opera House Arts Assist and Access programs. These programs provide inclusive opportunities for disadvantaged students, and those in our community who live with disability, to experience the enjoyment of live performances, talks and other events at the Sydney Opera House.
The Ladies’ Committee of the Sydney Opera House Appeal Fund, known informally as the Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee, is an unincorporated association registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission. The Committee was founded in 1957 in support of The Opera House Appeal Fund, one of the earliest sources of funding for construction. The Fund pre-dated the Sydney Opera House Lottery and ran in parallel with the Lottery until 1968.
We are referred to as The “Ladies of the House” by the Sydney Opera House (SOH) – please click here if you wish to read about us through the eyes of the SOH.
The thread connecting the women of the Ladies Committee is a passion for the performing arts and a belief in the power of the arts to enhance the life of the community. Historically, most of its members have served for a long time, believing that volunteering and philanthropy reward those who give as well as those who receive.
The Committee’s first major event, held in April 1959, was a ball at the Sydney Town Hall, in the presence of His Excellency the Governor of NSW Sir Eric Woodward and Lady Woodward.
Click here to see the current Committee Members.
To help us, you could … donate directly, attend an event, sponsor a table, become a sponsor OR provide an item to be included as a raffle prize or silent auction item!! And please share all our news and invitations with your networks.
We would greatly value your support for our worthy cause.
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The Sydney Opera House Arts Assist and Access Programs
Funds currently raised directly support the Sydney Opera House Arts Assist and Access programs.
The Arts Assist program provides the very best national and international performing arts experiences to NSW students as part of their educational studies.
The Sydney Opera House Access program makes the site, building and experience accessible to all people.
With YOUR help, we can ensure OUR Sydney Opera House is EVERYONE’s House!
Just $5 assists with transport costs for students from disadvantaged schools to visit the SOH for a Creative Learning Performance
$25 enables a child with disability to attend a sensory performance
$50 gives a student the chance to dance in a class led by Sydney Opera House resident company The Australian Ballet
$500 enables a group of people with disability to travel onsite to attend a workshop.
$1,000 supports a deaf audience through an Auslan Interpreter translating a performance or concert
$2,000 ensures Opera House staff continue to be trained in providing appropriate support for our community living with disability
Photos by Anna Zhu,
The Arts Assist program enables children to get the benefit of some behind the scenes information, as well as performances and resources.
Our philanthropic history
Since 1957, the Committee has been responsible for more than $1 million in philanthropic contributions to the Sydney Opera House, making it the largest single source of private philanthropic support.
Since 1973, the Committee has continued to raised funds in philanthropic and in-kind contributions. In recent years, the Committee has helped fund projects such as: the Opera House’s Oral History, which recorded interviews about construction of Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece; and, in partnership with the State Library of NSW, extensive restoration and digitisation of Utzon’s drawings, plans, documents and films, which he had donated to the State Library.
Currently, the Committee contributes a significant amount per annum in support of the Opera House’s Arts Assist and Access programs, to provide opportunities for socially and financially disadvantaged students to experience educational performances at the Opera House.
The Committee is preparing to contribute to the Opera House’s decade of renewal, which began with last year’s 40th Anniversary celebrations and will continue to the 50th Anniversary in 2023. Utzon’s masterpiece requires significant investment to evolve and meet the needs of new generations of artists, audiences and visitors. This will be come from a combination of government funding, corporate sponsorship and private philanthropy. The Committee plans to play a significant role in this renewal, as it did in the building’s original construction.