Built in 1881, the grand Victoria Theatre in Newcastle’s city centre thrived during the silent film era and vaudeville’s heyday, hosting a myriad of performers from magicians to jokesters.
A decade ago, Century Management, owners of the Enmore Theatre, saved the Victoria Theatre from demolition with a $12 million restoration plan. Now, a $1 million heritage grant from the NSW government will further transform the old theatre into a vibrant cultural hub.
Alongside the Victoria Theatre, the Schwartz Family Company received a $1 million grant to convert the historic GPO into Australia’s first Aboriginal medical museum and a community hub, aiming to revitalize Newcastle’s city center.
The grants are part of a larger initiative to preserve and celebrate historical sites across NSW, with a total of $8.65 million awarded to 140 projects in the 2025-2027 round.
The surge in funding reflects the government’s commitment to heritage preservation, with Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe emphasizing the importance of these sites in telling NSW’s stories and attracting visitors.
Among the recipients are urgent repair projects for historic buildings like the Macquarie Arms Inn, the 1815 slab barn, and the conservation of culturally significant sites such as Birubi Point Aboriginal Place.
Local councils, including Ryde, Lane Cove, and Liverpool, also received grants for the preservation of colonial cottages and historic houses, highlighting the diverse range of heritage projects supported by the program.
In North Sydney, the restoration of Don Bank House Museum, one of the city’s oldest timber cottages, underscores the significance of preserving relics from the area’s colonial past.
The project’s manager, Daniel Ballantyne, sees potential in reviving threatened heritage theatres like the Victoria Theatre, noting the growing demand for performance spaces in Newcastle’s expanding population.
With plans to restore the theatre’s Victorian-era facade and enhance it with programmable LED lighting, the project aims to create a vibrant cultural venue akin to the Enmore Theatre, catering to a wide range of artistic performances.
As the city of Newcastle evolves, the restoration of historic landmarks like the Victoria Theatre not only preserves the past but also paves the way for a dynamic future, blending heritage with contemporary arts and culture.
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