MTC Honours Benefactors with Lifetime Patrons Award

Melbourne Theatre Company honoured three of its benefactors with MTC Lifetime Patron Awards last night at a special preview event for MTC's 2017 Season.

In 2015, the MTC Foundation introduced its Lifetime Patron Award to acknowledge and celebrate MTC's most loyal and extraordinary supporters, and their astonishing generosity that has enriched the arts throughout Victoria and Australia.

This year MTC is thrilled to honour Derek Young AM and Caroline Young, and the late Biddy Ponsfordwith the award in recognition of their immense contribution to MTC.

From the very beginning of their involvement with the Company, Derek and Caroline have shown great leadership in their philanthropic support for MTC and to this day remain close and extremely valued members of the MTC family. Derek served on the MTC Board from 1994 to 2013, spending the last eight years of his tenure as an inspiring and committed Chair. During this time both he and Caroline played a significant role in the capital campaign to build Southbank Theatre.

Biddy was a passionate individual and part of the MTC family since the very early days. She joined the MTC Society in 1984 and was a loyal Leading Member of the Company's CentreStage program. MTC is honoured to have received Biddy's sustained and most generous support and extend gratitude to Biddy's family, who attended the Season 2017 Preview to receive this special award on her behalf.

MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett said, 'These three inspiring individuals are among MTC's greatest supporters and advocates. It is wonderful to be recognising the invaluable contributions they have each made to the Company and marking our endless appreciation for their support with this very special award.'

During the season preview event last night, Deryk, Caroline and the family of Biddy Ponsford were presented with a handmade gold lapel pin, compliments of MTC Corporate Partner Kozminsky.

MTC's Season 2017 will be announced to the public on Sunday 28 August during a launch at Hamer Hall.