60 years of stage: Bendigo’s longest running theatre company celebrates major milestone

A big happy birthday is in order for Bendigo's Arena Theatre Company

Australia’s longest-running professional theatre company for young audiences, Arena Theatre Company, is celebrating a remarkable milestone: six decades of live performance, creativity, and connection. This year, the company invites the community to step into its future.

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

 

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Last month, Arena commemorated its 60th anniversary with a celebratory morning tea in Bendigo, drawing together friends, supporters, and advocates to reflect on six decades of bold storytelling for children and young people. The gathering also heralded the launch of Arena’s Plus1 fundraising campaign, a matched-giving initiative through Creative Australia designed to double the impact of every donation.

Through the Plus1 campaign, every dollar contributed before 31 May 2026 is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to a target of $50,000. Arena has already raised $33,500— a whopping 67 per cent of its goal—anchored by a lead commitment from the Betty Amsden Foundation.

“Sixty years is extraordinary for any arts organisation, and for one dedicated entirely to young people it’s a true landmark,” said Arena CEO and Executive Producer Debra Allanson. “The Plus1 campaign is our way of inviting the community to invest in the next chapter. With every dollar doubled, the impact of each gift is real and immediate.”

Since its founding in 1966, Arena has championed live performance and creative programs that reach young people where they are—whether in regional communities, schools, or family-focused spaces, where access to professional theatre is often limited.

Arena’s Creativerse festival, launched in 2025, drew more than 1,500 attendees to Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre, establishing a fresh, annual gathering for young audiences and families. Plans for the 2026 edition are already underway, promising another year of imaginative storytelling and vibrant engagement.

To jump on board, join in the celebrations and contribute to their donation goal, head here. Donations can be made before 31 May 2026. To learn more about Arena Theatre Company, head here.