Generous funding allocation to the Opera House

The restoration and refurbishment of the six original dressing rooms backstage of the main auditorium at the Oamaru Opera House has received a welcome funding boost.

The Trustees of the AAW Jones Charitable Trust have approved a grant of $48,734 to cover this aspect of the Opera House Encore project. Council is extremely grateful to the Trustees for this generous contribution and the support shown for this significant project.

 Having spoken to local residents and visitors now no longer residing in Oamaru, Else Mackenzie, Opera House Encore Co-ordinator, has found many people are particularly interested in the major improvements being made to these dressing rooms. All recall the difficult access and deterioration of spaces they have called ‘home’ whilst taking part in local productions.

 It is a pleasure to be able to offer future users safe, accessible, warm, clean, fresh dressing rooms with real mirrors, attached to the wall and doors that actually do close. The assistance of the AAW Jones Charitable Trust making the wish lists of performers, young and old, a reality, is greatly appreciated by Council and the wider community.

 The total cost of the Opera House restoration is $9.7 million. $6.35 million has been raised to date for the project. Council is applying for additional funding to meet the project cost – further funding applications are either undergoing assessment processes or still to be lodged.