Annual Report and Financial Statements
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The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements 31st December, 1967 THE AUSTRALIAN ELIZABETHAN THEATRE TRUST NOTICE OF MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ANNUAL ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of Members will be held at the office of The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. 153 Dowling Street, Potts Point. N.S.W., on Monday, 24th June. 1968, at 5.30 p.m. BUSINESS 1. To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account made up to 31st December, 1967, and the Report of the Directors and Honorary ",/ Auditors thereon. {} 2. The President and Vice-Presidents retire in accordance with Article 69. fL / 3. To elect Directors. / The following Directors, who were appointed by the Board since the last Ordinary General Meeting at which Directors retired, retire in accordance with Article 43. They are eligible and offer themselves for re-election: q Sir Reginald Groom. Mr. C. J. Legoe, Mr. Bruce Macklin, Sir Robert Madgwick, O.B.E., Sir George Paton. Sir Ian Potter, Mr. N. R. Seddon, Mr. Kenneth von Bibra. The following Directors retire by rotation in accordance with Article 44, are eligible. and offer themselves for re-election: Emeritus Professor Frederick Alexander, CB.E., Sir Warwick Fairfax, Miss / Margaret Gillespie, Mr. Stanley Haviland, CB.E., Mr. N. F. Hopkins, Mrs. y F. Massy Burnside, Professor J. A. Passmore, Mr. J. B. Piggott, Miss M. E. Roper. Mr. F. E. Lampe, M.B.E., Sir Alexander Reid, CM.G., LS.0., and Sir Arthur Smithers, CB.E., retire pursuant to Section 121 of the Companies Ordinance. 1962, and the meeting will be asked to consider, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions pursuant to Section 121 (6) of the Companies Ordinance, 1962: "That Mr. F. E. Lampe, M.B.E., be a uthorised to continue in o.tfice as a, Director ./ until the next Ordinary General Meeting". -:: '1<' ~ "That Sir Alexander Reid, CM.G., LS.O., be authorised to contimre in office as a Director until the next Ordinary General Meeting". "That Sir Arthur Smithers, C.B.E., be authorised to continue in office as a Director until the nex~ Ordinary General Meeting." 4. To elect Honorary Auditors for the ensuing year. The retiring Auditors, Messrs. G. T. Hartigan & Co., Chartered Accountants, are eligible for re-election. " '" 5. To transact any other business which may be brought before the meeting in conformity with the Articles of Association. By order of the Board, M. PARKER, Secretary. Sydney, June, 1968. The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust (A Company incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory and limited by guarantee) PRESIDENT: Colonel Aubrey H. L. Gibson, E.D. VICE·PRESIDENTS: Sir James Darling, C.M.G., Sir Robert Knox CHAIRMAN: Sir Ian Potter DIRECTORS: Claude Alcorso Albert Monk Emeritus Professor Frederick Alexander, C.B.E. Sir Charles Moses, C.B.E. Mrs. P. W. E. Curtin Professor J. A. Passmore Sir Warwick Fairfax Sir George Paton Miss Margaret Gillespie J. B. Piggott, C.B.E. Sir Reginald Groom Sir Alexander Reid, C.M.G., I.S.0. Stanley Haviland, C.B.E. Miss M. E. Roper N. F. Hopkins Dr. Lloyd Ross Neil Hutchison N. R. Seddon F. E. Lampe, M.B.E. Professor Sir Fred Schonell C. J. Legoe Sir Arthur Smithers, C.B.E. Bruce Macklin M. C. Timbs Sir Robert Madgwick, O.B.E. Kenneth von Bibra Mrs. F. Massy Burnside HONORARY SOLICITORS: Messrs. Allen, Allen & Hemsley, 55 Hunter Street, Sydney HONORARY AUDITORS: G. T. Hartigan & Co., Chartered Accountants BANKERS: Commonwealth Trading Bank of Australia REGISTERED OFFICE: Commonwealth Bank Chambers, Cnr. London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, A.C.T. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: HONORARY SECRETARY: ADMINISTRATOR: Stefan Haag, O.B.E. Maurice Parker Bruce Scott The following Directors have resigned from office since the last Ordinary General Meeting: Dr. H. C. Coombs (Chairman), Mr. K. G. Brooks, Mr. T. S. Duckmanton, The Hon. Mr. Justice R. M. Eggleston The following appointments have been made to the Board: Sir Reginald Groom, Mr. C. J. Legoe, Mr. Bruce Macklin, Sir Robert Madgwick, O.B.E., Sir George Paton, Mr. N. R. Seddon, Mr. Kenneth von Bibra Mr. G. F. Davies, C.M.G. resigned from the position of Vice·President. DIRECTORS' REPORT Report of the Directors to the Members at the Ordinary General Meeting to be held in Sydney on 24th June, 1968. Your directors have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ended 31st December, 1967. This proved to be a year in which the reputation of the Trust was further enhanced not only at home but also in international circles. In the international sphere The Australian Ballet made its second overseas tour when it visited New Zealand, Hawaii, Canada-as a notable part of Australia's contribution to the World Exposition in Montreal-the Caribbean and Latin America. Its performances throughout the tour were accorded a resounding welcome. The Marionette Theatre of Australia made a tour of Asian countries where it was warmly received. After so many years of one-way cultural traffic it is pleasing to note that Australian companies have now achieved international stature. The standards reached at home in both opera and drama also confirmed to Australian audiences the continuing advances in the quality of the performing arts. The Balance Sheet and Statement of Income and Expenditure of the Trust for the twelve months ended 31st December, 1967, have been duly audited by Messrs. G. T. Hartigan and Co. Income from all sources other than box-office receipts amounted to $1,300,505 and net expenditure $1,236,370. The surplus for the year, $64,135, has been transferred to the Trust's accumulated funds, which now stand at $197,448. Gross income, including all box-office receipts, amounted to $2,567,968 and gross expenditure was $2,503,833. An amount of $20,995 has been provided in this year's accounts for doubtful debts. It has been necessary to write off debts totalling $18,869 and thus, after including the previous year's provision of $19,874, there remains $22,000 to carry forward. This amount should be adequate to cover any further losses in this regard. During the year increased support was received from the Commonwealth Government and the State Government of New South Wales to enable the establishment of a permanent theatre orchestra for the opera and ballet companies, and to allow for a pernlanent nucleus of the opera company to be maintained. Other States also made significant grants to the Trust's activities. The magnitude of the support for the Trust by all governments and their willingness to maintain increasing support, reflect the fruition of many years of endeavour and artistic achievement since the Trust was first established. For much of the vision and for a great measure of the fulfilment of that vision, the Trust and the community generally are indebted to Dr. H. C. Coombs, who was the Trust's Chairman throughout the year under review, but who relinquished this position early in 1968, following his appointment as Chairman of the newly established Australian Council for the Arts. To this new and challenging responsibility Dr. Coombs carries the admiration, confidence and goodwill of all at the Trust, who over the years have found constant inspiration in his leadership. Your directors have unanimously agreed that Dr. Coombs should be awarded honorary Life Membership of the Trust, and that his name should be perpetuated by the Trust ill an appropriate fashion. As a result of Dr. Coombs' retirement, a reorganisation of the Board structure has been necessary, and the following changes have been effected: (a) Sir Ian Potter, formerly President of the Trust, has accepted the office of Chairman of the Board. (b) Colonel Aubrey H. L. Gibson has been appointed President of the Trust to succeed Sir Ian Potter. (c) The Executive Committee of the Board has been re-constituted to include Directors who have accepted particular responsibilities in specific areas of the Trust's work. In addition to the President and the Chairman, these directors are Mr. C. Alcorso. Sir Robert Madgwick, Messrs. N. R. Seddon and M. C. Timbs. The Board regrets to report the death of Mr. L. C. Waterman, who had been a Director and loyal supporter of the Trust since its establishment. The opportunity is taken by the Board to express its appreciation to the Executive and staff of the Trust for their continued loyalty. resource and sustained effort. In accordance with the Companies Ordinance, 1962, as amended, the Directors report as follows: 1. The results for the year under review have not been affected by items of an abnormal character other than as mentioned in the accounts and in this report. 2. No circumstances have arisen which render adherence to the existing method of valuation of assets or liabilities of the Company misleading or inappropriate. 3. No contingent liabilities have been undertaken by the Company since the end of the period covered by the last report and no contingent liability has become enforceable or is likely to become enforceable within the succeeding period of twelve months which will materially affect the Company in its ability to meet its obligations as and when they fall due. Sydney W. I. POTTER, 3rd June, 1968 Chairman. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT The Trust's busy schedule of work in 1967 featured several major additions to its already broad area of responsibility. Notable among these additions was the creation of the Trust Theatre Orchestra, which began its career at the beginning of May and has since worked continuously for the Trust seasons of opera and ballet, besides including three concert performances (two in Sydney, one in Orange, N.S.W.) in its exceptionally wide range of first-year obligations.