INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIETY BY THE PRESIDENT, JOSIE WOODGATE OAM The first official Meeting of The Australian Ballet Society was held on 15 February 1966 at the home of the late Lady (Margaret) Nathan who was formally elected first President. Seventy-two members were registered and paid a membership fee of $1.00! Some of those original members are still working for the Society. At that important meeting the late Dame Peggy Van Praagh, the first Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet and Dame Margaret Scott, the Founding Director of the Australian Ballet School expressed their pleasure at the formation of the society and, throughout their terms of office, encouraged the Committee in all its efforts. To this day the co-operation and support by the Directors and staff of the Society's work has been an important ingredient in the success of the Society's fund-raising endeavours. In the years since that first Meeting an incredible record of financial support has been established; but perhaps even more important the love so many Australians have for the beauty and excitement of ballet and dance has been fostered and nurtured through the Society's support of The Company and School. By mid-2003, the Society had donated over $3 million to the two organizations - an impressive amount which causes much pride to the committee and all the Members and is an indication of their solid and total commitment to the aims of the Society. These funds have been used for a multitude of projects - from funding new ballets and supporting the Dancers Company, to financing dancers' exchange programmes and guest teachers, to assisting Education programmes and purchasing equipment, to providing student scholarships and supporting overseas study travel. To top off that impressive list, the Society is responsible for the establishment, administration and staffing of The Dancers Deli which is situated in the Ballet Centre in Southbank Arts precinct. [Home] [Introduction] [Benefits] [Coming Events] [Encore!] [Fees] [Donations] [Friends] [Links]