For ARIA-nominated musician Sam Boon, Her Majesty's Theatre Ballarat is more than just a performance venue.
It's a living piece of his family's history.
'My grandma used to design sets and costumes for productions at Her Maj in the 1950s,' said Sam.
'My grandfather also worked there, as an actor and director. My Dad has appeared on that stage as well.'
So, when an invitation came to direct the official reopening concert in November 2024, it was an easy 'yes' for Sam.
Dubbed 'Resurgence', the musical performance was a triumphant celebration of Her Maj and an impressive display of local talent.
It also opened a new chapter in the story of the almost 150-year-old theatre.
The goldfields-era venue, which is the oldest continually used performance space in Australia, has just undergone extensive revitalisation works.
These occurred over three stages.
The first two saw the installation of steel support beams and external brick works. Shoring up the bones of the 'grand old lady', these stages were backed by more than $5 million from the City of Ballarat and $2 million from Heritage Victoria.
The third and final stage involved a refurbishment of the venue's interior.
Supported by $10 million from the Victorian Government, these works included:
- installation of new lifts to help people of all abilities access the stage and auditorium
- establishment of accessible toilets
- improvements to fire safety infrastructure
- creation of a new box office and front of house area to welcome patrons, sell tickets and promote shows
- construction of a more comfortable back-of-house area for artists.
The result is a modern and accessible performance venue that represents a marriage of the old with the new.
'The theatre is Ballarat's crown jewel, and it's so important to have it revitalised,' said Sam.
'For some people, it's where they see their first professional show, and that inspires them into an arts career. For others, it's where their community group gets to perform and do what they love. Either way, it's such a major part of our cultural identity.'
'It also sends a strong message to local and regional creatives, that we have what we need right here. That you don't have to go to Melbourne or Sydney to take part in the arts,' added Sam.
The Resurgence event was proof of that fact.
Joining Sam on stage was a roster of 50 local artists.
'All employed at good rates and commissioned to create something new and unique to Ballarat,' said Sam.
Enjoying the show was one of Her Maj's newer audience members, Vanessa Gerrans.
CEO and Director of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, she was impressed not only with the show, but with the accessibility upgrades to the venue.
'These upgrades reflect the values held by people in Ballarat,' she said.
'We want to welcome people of all ages and abilities, and that commitment to fairness is now reflected in the very fabric of the theatre.'
Vanessa also sees a synergy between what's been achieved at Her Maj and works that are underway at the nearby National Centre for Photography.
'We're also committed to providing universal access. So, soon there will be this fresh arts precinct in Ballarat where everyone can feel welcome to come and take part,' she said.
With the stage set and the curtains raised once again, the future is looking bright for Ballarat's premier performance venue.
Community groups are returning to their artistic home, and the calendar is filling with major events.
'Big names are coming to Ballarat because of this, and they're noticing the beauty and uniqueness of the theatre,' said Vanessa.
For Sam, the restoration represents a gift to the next generation of local artists.
'It's giving these amazing people who are coming up the chance to be part of this wonderful story,' he said.
'You go back decades and people were on that same stage, looking up at the dome. We're still doing that all these years later, which is so special.'
'Hopefully, our local performers will be looking up at that dome for another 100 or 200 years.'
Support for Her Majesty’s Theatre forms part of our record investment of $45 billion over the past decade in projects and programs that are making rural and regional Victoria even better places to live, work, stay and play.