Palais Theatre Community Fund returns deliver biggest round of community funding

Melbourne’s Palais Theatre has announced the recipients of its Palais Theatre Community Fund, which has returned for an eighth round of support in what is its biggest set of funds since the program’s inauguration in 2017.

This round of funding will provide grants of up to $5,000 to local registered charities, communities and not-for-profit organisations based within the City of Port Phillip, including projects for creative arts, infrastructure, equipment, and community activities. From live performances, community engagement and sporting clubs, the grant enables organisations to support and celebrate local activities and people who work behind the scenes to keep Melbourne’s renowned vibrant communities alive.

The program is an integral part of Live Nation Australia Venues’ 30-year lease of the landmark venue located in the heart of St Kilda, and is set up in partnership with the City of Port Phillip to provide long-term benefits to local organisations dedicated to supporting the local St Kilda and City of Port Phillip art and culture community.

Funding for the grant is delivered via a 50-cent donation from Live Nation Australia Venues for every ticket sold at an event at the Palais Theatre and is set to generate approximately $100,000 to $120,000 per year into the City of Port Phillip community.

The Palais Theatre’s eighth round of funding will provide meaningful support to a number of local organisations, including:

• Elwood Life Saving Club
• South Port Community Housing Group
• Rawcus Theatre Company Inc
• Elsternwick Park Association
• St Kilda Bike Kitchen Inc.
• Australian National Memorial Theatre Limited
• St Kilda Police & Citizens Youth Club Inc
• Theatre Works
• Space2b Social Design
• BalletLab Association Inc
• Linden New Art
• We Support You LTD
• FoodFilled Incorporated

Welcoming the funding, Sarah Hunt, Chief Executive of The National Theatre, commented “the National Ballet and Drama School [is] now able to replace and install the studios with mirrors which will greatly enhance the training experience of hundreds of students throughout the year - from age 44 to 75!

“The secondary benefit of this contribution is that the wider team at The Nash feel supported by (The Palais Theatre) and can see that steps are being taken, incrementally, to restore this theatre and teaching institution for the local community and set it up for future success.”

Palais Theatre Venue Manager, Lloyd Jones added “the Palais Theatre is proud to support our local community and the people who make the City of Port Phillip the vibrant cultural hub it is globally renowned to be. It is a highlight for me personally to be a part of the greater local community in this way. We are looking forward to watching the support this funding provides these local organisations and following the incredible work they do each day.”

Since the fund was established in 2017, the fund has distributed over $353,000 in donations to local organisations.

Applications for the fund’s upcoming ninth round of funding open on 15th May 2023.

Any registered charities, communities and not-for-profit organisations located within the City of Port Phillip are encouraged to submit an application.

To apply, or for more information, eligibility criteria and a breakdown of key dates, go to www.palaistheatre.com.au/community-support

Image shows (from left): Ephraim Block, Rabbi, Chabad St Kilda; David Rylance, President, Elwood Life Saving Club; Lucy Worsley, Operations & Programs Manager, Space2b Social Design; Dale Kent, South Port Community Housing Group; Brooklynn Baker, Fitness Coordinator, SK PCYC; Kahlia Sulendra, Head of Ballet & Drama Schools Administration, The National Theatre Melbourne; Phillip Adams, Artistic Director, BalletLab; Tina Gelberidis, VP, St Kilda Bike Kitchen; Jacque Robinson, General Manager, Rawcus; Friday Saarelaht, Volunteer, St Kilda Bike Kitchen; Rosie Grech, Communications, Yalukit William Nature Reserve; Alexis Olavarria, President, St Kilda Bike Kitchen; Ally Souter, Vice President, Yalukit William Nature Reserve; Belinda Goldman, Chief Executive, FoodFilled; and Vincent Alessi, Chief Executive and Director of Linden New Art. Credit: Samantha Meuleman.