A home for organisations and artists to perform, meet, rehearse, develop and collaborate on projects, with a long-term focus.

A visible and active voice for our community.

Representing our interests in other forums.

Education and training.

Job creation.

Industry pathways.

Raising the profile of local talent & companies.

Promoting shows and events.

Community-centred programming.

• BPAC has been established as an incorporated association.
• We have moved in to 501 Neill Street, Soldiers Hill – a former Uniting Church facility with several heritage buildings.
• We are building our membership base and raising funds for the foundational costs of occupying the site and running the organisation.
• We will be trialling our bookings system and spaces with meetings and small rehearsals. This will be for user-members only at this stage.
• We are applying for a place of assembly permit with our local council (the property is currently classed as a place of worship) and seeking the relevant approvals for our intended use.
• Income will be derived from membership and booking fees, events in other venues and fundraising.

• We will have the option to purchase the property at Neill Street, and, pending planning approval, we aim to utilise it as  a performance venue with multiple spaces for shows, workshops and events, as well as space for continued rehearsals and meetings for our members.
• We will be raising funds for essential structural works and fitting-out of the properties, as well as operational funding.

• The vision is to develop a world-class performing arts centre at the Neill St site, with a full calendar of shows and events by local performers and companies, as well as hosting many touring shows.
• The site will continue to support and develop the Ballarat performing arts community with affordable spaces for creative work and education.
• The magnificent heritage buildings on the site will be restored and maintained, and will continue their legacy of a community gathering space.

Dr Michael Whitehead is a professional Anesthetist and the President of Ballarat Lyric Theatre.

He sees the Ballarat Performing Arts Centre as a unique opportunity to provide a home for the many performing arts organisations of Ballarat to provide them with at-scale education, rehearsal and performance spaces.

It is also an opportunity to respectfully preserve the beautiful and historic church buildings whilst continuing their use as a place for community to gather into the future.

Beth is a passionate and productive arts administrator and producer. She has worked in the performing arts industry since 1999 in venue management, event management, production, marketing and arts admin.

From supporting and producing work in comedy clubs, festivals and theatres in Melbourne, London and Edinburgh to managing major events and a long-running comedy club of her own in Ballarat, Beth is always working hard to contribute to the performing arts.

Millie was the Business Manager of her family Crane Hire business, is the Accounts Manager for a local construction business and is the Treasurer for the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra and the Moorabool Light Orchestra.

She has taken on the Treasury role at BPAC and enjoys assisting with the testing and implementation of new processes, maintaining accounts, monitoring payments, reporting as necessary and generally being part of the exciting big think tank on a regular basis.

Millie loves working with the astonishing array of large and small performing arts organisations local to Ballarat, who know each other well, collaborate readily and continue to produce all kinds of entertainment of a high standard.

Jo has been involved in the performing arts for over 20 years, dedicating her time to ensure everyone who walked through the doors of Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Civic Hall and The Ballarat Mining Exchange, leaving having had the most incredible experience, and wanting more.

Jo’s vision for the Ballarat Performing Arts Centre is to offer a welcoming and diverse space, where hirers, patrons and the community comes together, creating a memorable experience, left feeling that they are all a part of something amazing.

Jo is so incredibly grateful to be offered the contracted position of Operations Manager of BPAC and cannot wait to see what happens next.

Tim is a highly experienced and motivated performing arts educator, administrator and producer.

With over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in the secondary school sector, he now works in the not-for-profit sector creating opportunities for students, performers and community groups.

Tim credits the success of his career to a strong performing arts program in primary school and to the supportive local community performing arts groups of Ballarat.

Matthew is a CCU and camera operator at the MCG and Marvel Stadiums, has worked in television and professional theatre and until recently was the Audio-Visual manager at Mercure Ballarat.

For over 40 years Matthew and Mystic Entertainmentz have enjoyed working with local directors to bring their visions to life on stage.

Matthew has worked for Ballarat Youth Theatre, National Theatre, Lyric Theatre, BLOC Theatre, BCMA, Staged by Creatives as well as Geelong theatre companies.

Matthew feels Ballarat needs a venue that’s smaller than our large theatres but isn’t locked into the limited availability of school venues.

Lyn has lived in Ballarat for 8 years and been a member of the Ballarat Choral Society for the past 6 years.

Lyn’s background has been in human resource management in a variety of industries, including the Commonwealth Government, finance and the higher education sector.

She has also had management roles at The Australian Opera.

Lyn is currently the secretary of the Ballarat Choral Society, as well as being one of the founding members of Ballarat Performing Arts Community.

Luke has been involved in the local performing arts for over 35 years as an actor, writer, producer and mentor. He has worked in musicals, plays, comedy, vaudeville, music hall, puppetry and workshops. 

Luke has also worked professionally in theatre, touring both in Australia and internationally. 

Luke has a passion for creating theatre and jumped at the chance to be a founding member of the BPAC committee. He can’t wait to see what happens in the future of BPAC.

Leanne has over 25 years experience working as a Registered Nurse/Clinical Educator and she is a mum of three teenagers who are involved in music and musical theatre across Ballarat.

She strongly supports young people being given the opportunity to participate in the Arts to promote healthy physical and mental growth.

With much needed support, Leanne believes BPAC can provide an unmissable and incredibly important hub for young people to spend time exploring their creativity and connecting to community.

Sue is relatively new to Ballarat, and is excited to be part of the move to obtain a community based performing arts facility for a number of community groups to have easy and reasonable access to support their work.

Having moved between various rural and remote areas around Australia and having a background in rural health, she understands the importance of the performing arts for the health of any community.

Sue is a talented musician and can be seen and heard accompanying BPAC’s Show Choir.

Jeff Moran, Lyndell Allen. 

Peter Kingsbury

BPAC is currently entirely managed by volunteers and we are extremely grateful for the support by the following organisations.

BPAC is always keen to hear from interested individuals, groups and companies who may like to get involved with operations, campaigns or support in whatever way they can. Find out more about current opportunities here!