Thursday, 30 October 2025

 Rachel WESTAWAY (Prahran) (17:33): (1387) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Creative Industries, and it concerns the urgent need for increased and sustainable funding for St Martins Youth Arts Centre, a treasured creative institution located in my electorate of Prahran, in St Martins Lane in South Yarra near the beautiful botanical gardens. I was delighted to have the chance to visit it last week.

For more than 40 years St Martins has given young Victorians opportunities. It is a place where young people of all backgrounds can explore who they are and tell their stories through the creative arts and theatre. After founding the Melbourne Little Theatre in 1934, Brett Randall and Hal Percy opened a theatre on the site in 1956, together with the great Irene Mitchell MBE. The site was later purchased by the Victorian government, with the St Martins Youth Arts Centre company and charitable institution established in 1980 and the complex officially opened in 1982. Since then thousands of children and teenagers have found confidence, belonging and purpose through St Martins. Many go on to work in the arts, and some notable alumni include Catherine McClements, Ben Mendelsohn, Gina Riley, Noah Taylor, Jane Turner, Madeleine West and Julia Zemiro. St Martins’ work reaches far beyond South Yarra. Their outreach programs connect with schools and communities across the state, providing access to high-quality arts education that many young people would never otherwise experience. This is exactly the kind of organisation that you would be supporting – one that builds social connections, promotes inclusion and strengthens Victoria’s cultural future.

Despite their proven track record, St Martins is operating with an uncertain future, relying on short-term government grants and philanthropic contributions, with some revenue from venue hire. They are doing the heavy lifting of creative youth development on a small budget while navigating short-term grants that make it almost impossible to plan for the future. At the same time, their costs have increased, demand for their programs has grown and government support is simply not keeping pace. The action I seek tonight is that the Minister for Creative Industries review and establish core funding for St Martins Youth Arts Centre, ensuring long-term stability and recognising the essential role it plays in youth engagement in the arts.

At the moment, sadly, the Randall Stage, which can seat over 300 people, can no longer be used for performances due to noncompliance. My three children used to do musical performances at that theatre 10 years ago, and then they had to stop because there was no air conditioning and no disability access. It still has not been fixed. There is a real opportunity that more people could use this theatre. At the moment it just stands in complete disarray. I am very keen to see this situation recognised and addressed.