| Date Opened: | 26th February 1991 |
| Opened by: | The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen, Former Governor General |
| Dedicated by: | The Most Reverend Keith Rayner, Archbishop of Melbourne |
| Principal: | George Wood |
In 1991 the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) was opened. No more sitting cross legged on the Gym floor for Assemblies and Award Ceremonies. You could now sit in comfy chairs, 845 of them. This new hall was named after a much loved principal who was responsible for the next level of growth in the school. He championed Co-Education, the Hearing Unit, Sports and the PAC, he loved building.
Did you know that the Foundation was created specifically to bring the PAC to life. Most of the funds to build it came from parents, friends and staff of the school through the Foundation, led by John Baldwin and Lyn and Louise Davies. Some very famous people have walked on that stage and sat in those comfy chairs. Could you be the next one?
The PAC had a very nice upgrade in 2019 when more comfy seats were added. You may notice some of the seats have names of students, past and present, on the back of them. This is because of a fundraiser by the Yarra Foundation, called Take Your Seat, where you have the opportunity to buy a seat and have your name put on the back. Unfortunately, this doesn’t necessary mean you get to sit in it!
A place is made by the people within it. This is how a community makes a connection with those that came before. It is traced in its intention: the homely ideals it is founded on.
The George Wood Performing Arts Centre (PAC) began as a conversation between the Headmaster, George Wood, and staff as early as 1986, and was officially introduced at a meeting of the Council’s Education Committee on 3 February 1987. A building was in plans to act as the stage for the school community and commemorate Yarra Valley Anglican School’s 25th birthday.
From then to now, the PAC is many things to many people. It witnesses the Assemblies, Musical Performances, Productions, Award nights, Art shows, and Memorial Services. It offers neighbouring schools a stage, for shows and performances. It seats the many people and friends of the school in synergy with the scenic beauty of the school grounds and views, of which the School’s founders were particularly proud. It is a testimony to the ethos of the school by lifting the faces of the community to the forefront.
The Foundation, a cornerstone of the Yarra community, was created specifically to bring the PAC to life. George Wood, its namesake, was a monumentally significant figure to the Yarra we know today – a man best known for his quiet and kind spirit, his calm tenacity, his ever-present blue suits. The PAC lives as a tribute to the old ideal: we are the community that makes us as individuals. When we walk inside it, we sense its history: a living, breathing story.
At the Centre’s heart is an auditorium which seats 895, and can accommodate up to 1,000 temporarily, which performs as both a theatre and concert hall. It features modern sound and lighting systems. The auditorium’s curved interiors maintain the crowd within, and parking is available in the shadow of the great building. Visitors with disabilities are provided for with wheelchair access from the street to any location in the stalls.
The PAC carries its vivacious energy, its traffic and voices inside its tall walls. Various pockets throughout, such as teaching spaces and drama studios, allow it to be used as a teaching facility. The Gallery, which wings the auditorium, plays host to workshops, presentations and catered functions under natural light and open sky.
In 1988 the School Council, the president being Dr H.M MacKinnon at the time, formed the Foundation for the primary reason of raising funds for the project. John Baldwin was asked to head this organisation, and held the position of Chairman until 2002. The firm of Clarke, Hopkins and Clarke was signed on to provide architectural services, and C.D Mason Constructions Pty Ltd to construct the building. A proficient business man in advertising, John Baldwin embraced the task – he and his wife Meredith, a valued Council member, at the helm.
Plans were underway. The prospect of a network of voices congregating in one space came full circle – it took off as a community effort. An appeal was launched to raise money for the project; John and George Wood, conducted many interviews and meetings to invite potential donors and supporters; Meredith and Elizabeth Wood arranged many dinners. The initial Foundation Appeal directed towards major donors raised over a million dollars. A second appeal was aimed at smaller contributions.
Social circles formed the backbone of the enterprise: the School Auxiliary, formed in 1966, contributed in the form of stage curtains and kitchen equipment, the School Association in the provision of landscaping around the building. Both networks merged in 2001 to become the present Parents & Friends Association. Staff donation, led by science teacher and musician Bruce Brown, led to an Allen digital organ priced at $40,000. Bruce continued as the School’s organist until 2009, having retired from full-time teaching at the end of 1999.
The opening of the Performing Arts Centre saw the beginning of an indelible mark on the school, a hallmark to the close and vibrant social life that remains today.
On 26 February 1991, the Centre was opened by Sir Ninian Stephens, former Governor-General, and blessed by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend Keith Rayner. The festive day was presided over by Dr H.M. MacKinnon; also present were former Headmasters John Pascoe, Ken Jago, and former acting Headmaster Jack Herbert.
Buildings can shape and are shaped by the experiences of those that dwell within it – the PAC is a standing testament to the people of the school, in particular its namesake. We celebrate the character and efforts of George Wood. He had a formative influence on Yarra. He was instrumental in the adoption of co-education in Years 11 and 12 from 1978, and the move to full co-education from 1994. He encouraged the school’s reorganisation into Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, the operation of the Hearing Unit, and the establishment of Yarra as a respected force in AGSV sports.
During his impressive 43 years at AGSV schools as a student, teacher and administrator, George was known for his kind, attentive and determined nature. A student at Trinity Grammar, he finished in 1948 – the same year as Kelvin Emmett, who was later to become Head of Yarra Valley’s Junior School. He completed a science degree and Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne. He returned to teach at Trinity Grammar in 1953, and after teaching in London 1955 through to 1957, returned again in 1958. He was appointed Senior Master, equivalent to the Deputy Principal, until he was appointed Headmaster of Yarra Valley in 1976.
George oversaw significant developments during his time at Yarra. This includes a major construction program, including the Graphics Centre, the swimming pool, and Science Laboratory. He is noted as a key pillar to the harmonious relationship between staff and parents we now know.
When he retired, a whole School farewell was held on 22 November 1993 in the Centre, which was accordingly renamed 'The George Wood Performing Arts Centre'. The building honours and preserves his commitment to community and education, ideals which continue to reverberate through the present culture at Yarra. He was presented with two beautiful paintings of the PAC as a farewell gift from the School.
The PAC is the centrepiece of Yarra’s dynamic conversation. History matters in the way it is experienced – the democratic spirit on which the building was inspired continues. The PAC is home to the school’s Assemblies, the colourful Yarra Food, Wine and Music night, and countless Musical Concerts and Performances. An important, vibrant part of Yarra’s curriculum, this has evolved from the tradition of sharing an annual musical with Tintern, to now holding a Junior, Middle, and Senior School Production. A place of commemoration, it holds Presentation and Award nights, Information nights, Foundation dinners and Memorial Services. Dux Assemblies, Art shows, the Good Friday Appeal and Choral Showcases offer celebration and pride. As of 2017, Yarra delights in Comedy Nights as well.
The Centre regularly plays host to performances, ranging from children’s favourites such as ABC for Kids, to some of Australia’s most celebrated artists. For the purpose of hospitable hosting, a full time manager – Dawn Holland – was soon employed. Dawn was followed by Alan Siggers, Barry Davies, and now Paul Sherriff who has held the position for twenty-three years as of 2018. Paul is assisted by Marcus Viskich and Alex Fulton. The venue is regularly used for local school concerts and presentations, dance performances, and various charity and community events. It stands as a welcoming place where the school can gather and become familiar with the varied faces and stories of the community.
