Annual Report Sydney Opera House Financial Year 2017-18 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 01 About Us Our History 05 Who We Are 08 Vision, Mission and Values 12 Highlights 14 Awards 20 Chairman’s Message 22 CEO’s Message 26 Key Achievements 34 02 The Year’s Activity Experiences 37 Performing Arts 37 Visitors 58 The Building 62 Building Renewal 62 Joan Sutherland Theatre Projects 63 Operations and Maintenance 63 Contents Heritage 64 People 66 Team and Capability 66 Partners and Supporters 68 Community and Social Responsibility 72 Safety, Health and Wellbeing 76 Security and Risk 76 Organisation Chart 77 Executive Team 78 Corporate Governance 84 03 Financials and Reporting Financial Overview 95 Sydney Opera House Financial Statements 100 Sydney Opera House Trust Sta Agency Financial Statements 168 Government Reporting 203 04 Acknowledgements and Contact Our Donors 252 Contact Information 275 Trade Marks 277 Index 278 Our Partners 280 03 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Our History Major upgrades to the Joan Sutherland Theatre 2018 are completed on time and on budget. After a seven-month closure, the venue is reopened to the public on New Year’s Eve with Opera Australia’s production of The Merry Widow; the Conservation Management Plan Fourth Edition is launched in October 2017 and wins a National Trust Heritage Award in May 2018; the Opera House participates in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade for the rst time, enabled by Major Partner EnergyAustralia; Vivid Live celebrates its 10th anniversary. Renewal of the Joan Sutherland Theatre 2017 begins, with $71 million worth of capital works to replace critical end-of-life theatre systems and improve conditions for audiences, artists and sta; Badu Gili, a daily celebration of First Nations culture and history, is launched, projecting the work of ve eminent First Nations artists from across Australia and the Torres Strait onto the Bennelong sails; the fourth Reconciliation Action Plan and third Environmental Sustainability Plan launched. The Vehicle Access and Pedestrian Safety 2016 project, the biggest construction project undertaken since the Opera House opened, is completed; the new underground loading dock allows the Forecourt to become the pedestrian-friendly plaza envisioned by Jørn Utzon. About Us 05 2015 2013 The Welcome Centre opens and wins the The Opera House celebrates its 40th 2016 National Trust Heritage Award for Anniversary; planning for the Decade of Interpretation; the NSW Government reserves Renewal begins; the by-invitation group $202 million for Stage 1 Renewal projects; of supporters the Idealists is formed. the self-funded stage machinery upgrade for Joan Sutherland Theatre is announced. 2012 2011 2010 2009 The Opera House First Reconciliation First Environmental Western Foyers creates the Action Plan Sustainability Plan refurbished. dedicated role of developed; launched. Head of Indigenous Vehicle Access and Programming and Pedestrian Safety appoints Rhoda project begins. Roberts AO to the position. About Us | Our HistoryAbout 2006 2005 2007 Asian-language National Heritage UNESCO World Heritage listing: the Opera tours begin in listing. House is the youngest site to be listed and Mandarin, Japanese one of only two sites to be listed during the and Korean. lifetime of its architect. First Access Strategic Plan launched. 2002 1999 1966 Utzon Design Jørn Utzon 1973 Jørn Utzon resigns. Principles published. re-engaged as design Opening ceremony consultant to the and concert with Opera House. HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. 1959 1957 Work begins on Jørn Utzon wins 1954 Stage 1 of the Sydney Sydney Opera House The Hon. JJ Cahill, Premier of Opera House – design competition. NSW, convenes a conference to the foundations. discuss the establishment of an opera house in Sydney. 06 Photo by Hamilton Lund Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Who We Are The Sydney Opera House occupies a unique The Opera House is operated and maintained place in the cultural landscape, as a symbol on behalf of the NSW Government and of modern Australia, one of the architectural the people of NSW by the Sydney Opera wonders of the 20th century and among the House Trust. It is a non-for-prot, public, world’s busiest performing arts centres. As non-nancial, corporate entity that this year envisioned by then NSW Premier Joseph Cahill generated 89% of operating revenue through its in 1954, it was built to “help mould a better, activities. The NSW Government provides the more enlightened community”. remainder of operating revenue and funding for building maintenance and capital projects. Bennelong Point, the land on which the Opera House stands, was known to the local Gadigal As a community asset, the Opera House takes people as Tubowgule. It has been a gathering its responsibilities as a cultural leader seriously. place for storytelling, feasting, culture and Reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations celebration for thousands of years. people, education, access and care for the environment are embedded both strategically Original architect Jørn Utzon created an and in daily operations. inspirational building that honours this heritage, home to a diverse range of performances At its 40th anniversary in 2013, we embarked and experiences for the community and a on a Decade of Renewal to ensure the Opera Homeground Festival 2017. Photo by Daniel Boud About Us | Who We Are Us | Who We About meeting place for matters of local, national and House continues to inspire future generations international signicance. of artists, audiences and visitors. The celebrated work of our seven ªagship Resident Companies is complemented by a diverse program from Sydney Opera House Presents that ranges from classical music and It has been a gathering place dance to contemporary performance, theatre for children, talks and ideas events, and First for storytelling, feasting, Nations art and performance. Other visitors come to explore the building and its history, culture and celebration for enjoy its broad range of dining experiences or attend free events, while digital technology has thousands of years. enabled the Opera House to reach beyond its site to a global audience. 08 09 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 This year, approaching the midpoint of that decade, we delivered major upgrades to the Joan Sutherland Theatre, completed on time and on budget after a seven-month closure. The venue reopened on New Year’s Eve with We delivered major Opera Australia’s The Merry Widow. Work also began on a new function centre within the upgrades to the Joan building envelope, including demolition of the longstanding external marquee. Sutherland Theatre. The Hon. Don Harwin MLC Minister for the Arts We have the pleasure of presenting the Annual Report of the Sydney Opera House for the year ended 30 June 2018 for presentation to Parliament. This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983. About Us | Who We Are Us | Who We About Nicholas Moore Chairman Louise Herron AM Chief Executive Ocer Joan Sutherland Theatre Renewal. Photo by Daniel Boud Preparation and delivery continues on the Our role as temporary custodians is to ensure remainder of our Renewal works, which include the Opera House continues to live up to Premier essential upgrades to the Concert Hall, and a Cahill’s vision, the mandate enshrined in its 1961 new Creative Learning Centre for young people enabling Act and the ancient traditions of this and families. We are committed to maximising remarkable place. the benets of this rare opportunity while minimising the associated disruption. At all times, we are mindful of our signicant heritage responsibilities, which are set out in the award- winning Conservation Management Plan Fourth Sydney Opera House Edition launched in October 2017. is proudly owned by the NSW Government Amber Scott and Ty King-Wall from The Australian Ballet. Photo by Daniel Boud 10 11 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Our Vision To be as bold and inspiring as the Opera House itself. Our Mission To treasure and renew the Opera House for future generations of artists, audiences and visitors; and To inspire, and strengthen the community, through everything we do. About Us | Vision, Mission and Values About Our Values Safety: Our greatest responsibility Creativity: Be bold and innovative Excellence: Strive for the best Collaboration: One team Accountability: Focus and own it → Photo by Hamilton Lund 12 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Highlights Experiences (pp.37-61) Performing Arts (pp.37-58) Visitors (pp.58-61) Engaging with the Opera House – 1,262,449 attendances at 1,777 events – 564,000 visitors took a tour, up and performances from 491,000 in FY17 5.8 million – 608,767 attendances at 645 performances – Badu Gili experienced by more unique website by Resident Companies than 160,000 visitors and more users than 600,000 people online – 404,618 attendances at 819 Sydney Opera House Presents performances – 2.5 million food and beverage transactions – 127,808 attendances at 410 performances 608,767 for young audiences attendances at Resident Companies – 2.8 million views of Lighting of the Sails performances* (Metamathemagical) live stream 2.5 million food and beverage transactions* About Us | Highlights About 491,000 404,618 visitors take a tour attendances at Sydney Opera House Presents presentations 2.8 million views of Lighting the Sails live stream 127,808 attendances at performances for young audiences 1.8 million 1,262,449 social media attendances at followers performing arts events* * Noting Joan Sutherland Theatre closure from May to December 2017 Chinese New Year 2018. Photo by Daniel Boud 14 15 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Sydney Opera House Annual Report FY18 Audio-described live stream of the Lighting of the Sails accessed more than About Us | Highlights About 23,000 times.