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50 Years Of The Australian Ballet
  • Browse through the decades; search for a ballet, person or event; or dive right in through the spotlight.

    • 2010s
    • 2000s
    • 1990s
    • 1980s
    • 1970s
    • 1960s
  • Some of the text in The Australian Ballet timeline is adapted from essays in Luminous. These were written by Valerie Lawson (The Sixties), Jill Sykes (The Seventies), Lee Christofis (The Eighties), Michael Shmith (The Nineties) and Deborah Jones (The New Millennium).

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All of
Swan Lake


Stephen Baynes creates a new version of Swan Lake in honour of The Australian Ballet's first performance in 1962.

18 September 2012

The company wows audiences in New York City on a special 50th anniversary tour.

12 June 2012

After an absence of 43 years the company returns to Paris.

September – October 2008

David McAllister’s first commission as artistic director is Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake.

17 September 2002

For the Centenary of Federation celebrations, The Australian Ballet teams up with the Sydney Dance Company.

18 May 2001

Anne Woolliams becomes artistic director and introduces John Cranko’s Onegin to the repertoire.

1 September 1976

The company presents its first open-air performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

7 March 1966

Kirsty Martin retires to spend more time with her two children and husband Damien Welch.

4 July 2011

The Australian Ballet tours to Japan with The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

July 2007

The company perform The Sleeping Beauty in Auckland and Swan Lake in Shanghai.

October 2006

The Australian Ballet takes Swan Lake to Cardiff and London.

July 2005

Ross Stretton replaces Maina Gielgud as artistic director.

January 1997

Former stars Marilyn Rowe and Kelvin Coe perform in the company’s first simulcast with ABC TV.

17 September 1983

Marilyn Jones retires from the stage.

19 September 1978

Anne Woolliams’ Swan Lake premieres in Melbourne.

19 October 1977




Celebrating 50 Years Of The Australian Ballet The Australian Ballet Telstra


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