Celebrating six, six! fabulous events!

1. Governor-General Mostyn, new Lysicrates Patron

At a very cordial meeting with our Chairman, John Azarias, on 30th September,  Her Excellency The Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC expressed her pleasure at becoming our new Patron.  Her interest in the arts, in inspiring kids starting life with few advantages, and in our democratic message, was the main factor attracting her to the work of our Foundation.  We are grateful and delighted. 

And we take this opportunity to recognise and appreciate the strong support that her predecessor, David Hurley and his wife Linda, have given to the whole Lysicrates endeavour over many years. 

2.  Eighth Lysicrates Theatre Competition, 25 February

A full house of over 500 at the Conservatorium showed themselves highly receptive to the talents and messages of the three finalist playwrights. The plays were Ripple, by Jacob Sgouros, Nightcaps by Keziah Warner, and The Mountain Remembers by Daley Rangi, all very different, all the products of skill, struggle and commitment. 

For the playwrights, writing in solitude, it is a revelation to see the products of their imagination take life on the stage, and to hear first hand the reaction of the audience.

Those attending included Premier Chris Minns MLA and his wife Anna, Minister Penny Sharpe MLC, Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman SC MLA, Federal Special Envoy for the Arts Susan Templeman MP, Federal Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery Senator Tony Sheldon, Senator Matt Canavan, Shadow Minister Scott Farlow MLC, Shadow Minister Kellie Sloane MLA, former Premier Bob Carr, former Ministers Greg Pearce and Rob Stokes, Mayor of Hornsby Philip Ruddock, Mayor of Woollahra Richard Shields, and Consul General of Greece, Yannis Mallikourtis.

Under the auspices of our Foundation, Jacob Sgouros is currently finalising the play with the help of Dom Mercer, a noted dramaturg. Thanks to Sophia Bryant!

Our thanks to our partners Australian Writers’ Guild, and Australian Plays Transform. Thanks also to Michael Bark, who, as ever, is quietly effective, creative, and indefatigable.

3. Sixth Lysicrates Celebratory Dinner, 13 June

Over 120 guests attended our celebratory dinner this year at a beautiful venue in the city. The highlight of the evening was Damien Ryan’s performance of a monologue from his adaptation of Antigone by Sophocles. Damien is the artistic director of the Sport for Jove Theatre. Guests of honour included Minister John Graham, MLC, Minister Jihad Dib MLA, the Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman MLA, and the former Chief Justice and member of our Advisory Board Tom Bathurst.

The dinner gave us an opportunity to reflect on the vital contributions to the whole Lysicrates endeavour made by board member Geoff Selig, whose unexpected and tragic passing came as a considerable shock to his family and friends. We have missed him a great deal.

4. Sixth Martin Oration, 25 July

This signature event, held every year in conjunction with Gilbert + Tobin, attracted a full house in the G+T premises in Barangaroo, with many distinguished members of the legal profession present, including the current Chief Justice, Andrew Bell (CJ18), and two former Chief Justices, Tom Bathurst (CJ17) and James Spigelman (CJ16). Also present were the Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman MLA, the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Simon Draper, and the Secretary of the Department of Education, Murat Dizdar.

The speaker was Bret Walker AO SC, who in a masterful address, looked at the contributions of James Martin as Chief Justice (CJ4) to the development of jurisprudence, and the relation between the Parliament and the law in NSW; at Martin’s “Demosthenic rhetoric” as a barrister; and at his versatility as a politician, serving as he did as Premier, Attorney-General and even his own Whip in Parliament.

What emerged from Bret Walker’s address was Martin’s practical and logical mind, as well as his remarkable gift with words both spoken and written.

We are very grateful to Danny Gilbert and his partners for their generosity in hosting this unique event.

5.  Seventh Martin-Lysicrates Competition for Plays Written for Children, 30 July

This was our seventh year for the Martin-Lysicrates, and once again, it was a roaring success, even more roaring than its predecessors. The kids gasped, cheered, shouted, waved, stamped their feet, and totally got into the spirit of the day. They loved it, in short. Watch the highlights here.

6. Second Annual Martin Children's Walk, 30 October

What a blast! 22 gutsy kids undertook to re-enact the epic walks that the boy James Martin took from Parramatta to Sydney in 1832-4, just to get a high school education.

Martin, an immigrant child, son of a servant, grew up among the horse boxes of Parramatta Government House, where his father was a groom. He had to walk, because there were no high schools in Parramatta at the time and his parents were too poor to afford the carriage fare. That poor boy became Premier of NSW (three times), Attorney-General, and Chief Justice. An inspiration to kids anywhere.

The Premier launched the Walk at Parramatta Square, and the Chief Justice welcomed the brave walkers in Martin Place and awarded them certificates and medals.

It was fitting that two of Martin’s successors bookended the Walk.

Guests of honour were:

Premier Chris Minns, Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Minister Jihad Dib, Minister Steve Kamper, Parliamentary Secretary Greg Warren, Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman, Donna Davis MLA, Mark Hodges MLA, Sally Sitou MHR, Lord Mayor of Parramatta Clr Martin Zaiter, and Yannis Mallicourtis, Consul General of Greece.

Once again, grateful thanks to the Secretary of the Department of Education Murat Dizdar and the wonderful staff of the Department, who attended the Walk, for enthusiastic and practical support.

Here is the link to the 2024 Walk where you can see a video of the walk. The Walk also featured in the main Channel Nine news bulletin that evening

Sally Sitou's Address to Parliament

On July 30, Sally Sitou, Federal Member for Reid, experienced the magic of live theatre with hundreds of school students at Parramatta Riverside Theatre. The Martin-Lysicrates Prize empowers young audiences to vote for emerging playwrights. A truly inspiring initiative! This inspired her to make this the subject of her address to the Federal Parliament.

Watch her address to Parliament