Donations begin to roll in
Fundraising to reopen Wesley Performing Arts Centre started with a bang last week, with at least $11,000 pledged in donations.
The fundraising launch at Horsham Rural City Council’s Civic Centre reception room on Wednesday evening attracted about 60 people.
With the upgrade to cost about $2 million, and the committee and council already having $450,000, a fundraising campaign target has been set at $550,000, in order to apply for government funding to match the $1 million contribution.
Horsham Mayor Robyn Gulline was the first to make a donation with a $1000 cheque, followed by $5000 each from long-time Horsham performing arts supporter Jan Morris, and Horsham Arts Council.
The building will be given a new name of The Wesley when it reopens.
The Wesley Committee chair Mary Starr outlined the history of the Roberts Avenue performing arts venue including its closure in 2017 due to fire and safety issues.
After the council resolved to support The Wesley Committee in 2019, work began on architectural plans.
“Both fire and accessibility audits were carried out and recommendations made,” Ms Starr said.
“This led to the decision by the committee to adopt the flat floor plan to provide street level access from the front of the building to the back of the building at the green room.
“Give freely to the fundraising campaign to reopen and reuse this fantastic facility right in the heart of our city.
“I’m sure you’ll all agree with me that this wonderful building should be used by the whole community for a multitude of different events.”
Ms Starr thanked Horsham Rural City Council for its support for at least the past 15 years, with providing venue managers, making special mention of Marion Matthews and
“You walk in that front door and you’re having a theatrical experience straight away. The acoustics are brilliant. With much passion, I want it to be opened before I die” – Jan Morris
Joy Cowie, who undertook all the programming, marketing and advertising of shows.
“We’ve worked closely together the whole time the Wesley Performing Arts Centre has been running,” she said.
“This relationship continued with the council when the Horsham Town Hall was opened and the two venues operated successfully, with Wesley attracting smaller audiences in this intimate space and magnificent acoustics, as everyone knows.”
Renowned Horsham performing arts supporter Jan Morris also spoke at the launch, speaking about her and her late husband Richard’s work with the Wesley Performing Arts Centre over many years.
Mrs Morris spoke about her sentimental connection to the Wesley, having been involved in so many performances throughout the years, and witnessing the emerging talents of many future stars.
She also thanked the Horsham public for its generosity in donating to The Wesley and performing arts in the Wimmera.
“You walk in that front door and you’re having a theatrical experience straight away. The acoustics are brilliant,” she said.
“With much passion, I want it to be opened before I die.”
Ambassador Wendy Weight, a longtime Wimmera performing arts benefactor and piano teacher, returned to Horsham for the launch and was recognised for playing an integral role in the Wesley for many years.
Committee members expressed gratitude to Ms Weight for her donation of a rare Schimmel grand piano, as well as a building that was sold in 2019 that formed the committee’s contribution to the upgrade.
• Wendy Weight’s speech will appear as a column in a future edition of