Our goal in 2026 is to raise $20,000 to continue our important work digitising and publishing historic ephemera, photographic, film and manuscript material relating to the history of Australian theatre.
Theatre Heritage Australia (founded in 1995 as Victoria Theatres Trust) is a volunteer-run charity which promotes and encourages study and research into Australia’s theatre history; preservation, renovation and use of Australia’s theatres; and identification, documentation and preservation of items relating to Australia’s theatre history.
THA regularly holds free public events in Melbourne and Sydney, publishes original research to our website, and maintains a significant repository of digital material, free for research and educational use by academics, historians and the general public.
In recent years, THA has undertaken a number of major digitisation projects, including the JCW Scene Books , The Riley/Hailes Scrapbook and The Falk Album . Help us continue this important work by making a donation.
Please note: All donations over $2 are tax deductible. See below for ways to donate, or contact us to discuss other donation options.
Current and recent digitisation projects
JC Williamson Costume Collection
This remarkable collection includes original costume designs created for landmark Australian productions such as Chu Chin Chow, The Bing Boys Are Here and Djin Djin.
Talma Postcard Collection
Comprising almost 2,000 postcards from Melbourne’s renowned Talma Studios, this collection features many of the leading performers of the early twentieth-century Australian stage.
The Falk Album
The Falk Album contains some 1600 photos of some of the most famous artists and performers of the 1890s, taken by pioneer of Australian photography, H. Walter Barnett.
JCW Scene Books
These ten digitised scene books provide a rare account of over 440 theatrical productions staged in Australia between the 1890s and 1930s.
Australian Theatre Programs
This ongoing digitisation project has already digitised more than five hundred theatre programs, some dating back to the early 1900s. But there are plenty more to go!
Les Thorpe Collection
A collection of rare on stage and behind-the-scenes film footage of JCW touring productions taken during the 1940s and 50s
The Theatre Magazine
The Theatre Magazine was a major trade magazine active during the first part of the 2oth century. These magazines contain a great deal of commentary, opinion and reporting on the theatre industry of the day.
Nellie Barnes Scrapbook
Nellie Barnes was an Australian actress who performed regularly in JCW productions during the 1930s. This collection comprises a scrapbook and assorted photos, scripts, programs, press clippings and posters.
Donors
THA gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of our wonderful supporters.
Sally Bell, Chloe Flutter, Laurence Gellon, Peter Pinne, Charles Henry Tegner, Adrian Turley, Frank Van Straten, Michael Bond
Kate Halff, Tony Sheldon, Adrian Turley, Frank Van Straten, Sue-Anne Wallace
Maggie Browne, Leslie Cartwright, Kevin Coxhead, John Coyne, David Cunnington, Lois Daley, Kim Durban, Simon Dwyer, Jo Edwards, Darryl Emmerson, Deborah Fabbro, Robert Ferris, Jacques Forster, Richard Fotheringham, Angela Hannan, Sally Jackson, Brett Johnson, Peter Khoury, Elisabeth Kumm, Tanya Leach, Margaret Leask, Sawako Matsuo, Roger Neill, Rosemary Richards, Terry Sawyer, Stephen Saywell, Rohan Shearn, Tony Sheldon, Barry Strickland, John Bernard Swanson, David Williams, Barbara Williamson, Cathie Wills, Renn Wortly, Joyce Hopwood, Geraldine Starbrook
Fundraising Policies
Theatre Heritage Australia adheres to ethical fundraising practices. You can view our Fundraising Policies below:
Fundraising Policy (pdf file, 45KB)
Ethical Fundraising Policy (pdf file, 48KB)
