Waverley Council cultivates arts with more creative collaboration funding

Waverley Council has always been a strong supporter of the arts and that assistance continues with six individual creatives and artistic groups announced to receive Council support to develop projects at the Bondi Pavilion. It’s all part of Council’s Local Creative Collaborations 2025 program.

The successful recipients work in a wide range of artforms including musical theatre, clowning, podcasting, public art, sound installation and theatre. The successful recipients (listed below) reflect the wealth of creative talent in Waverley.

Chris Bendall, Artistic Director, Bondi Pavilion said Waverley Council is excited to support local artists develop such exciting new work in the home of Waverley arts, Bondi Pavilion.

“With showings of work-in-development for local audiences, this program is continuing to build a truly vibrant artistic life at Bondi Pavilion.”

Each project will receive subsidised venue hire of the Yalagang Room in the Pav for up to two weeks and up to $5,000 financial contribution to support artists’ fees and direct project costs.

This year’s outstanding recipients are:

Dangerous When Wet

Creative development of a musical by Merran Hughes about the struggles Fannie Durack and Mina Wylie faced in their quest to compete at the 1912 Olympic Games.

Magic Bondi

A community-driven project from local writer Jonno Seidler. Designed to inspire young people through the creation of temporary public art, Magic Bondi will playfully reimagine Bondi’s public spaces as sites for storytelling.

Noses Are Red

Creative development of a new work from Steps and Holes Theatre Company. Noses Are Red is five-person clown show – inspired by Samuel Beckett, George Orwell and Charlie Chaplin – by playwright Kate Walder, in collaboration with local composer and sound designer Max Lyandvert.

The Composers

Artists Matt Kelly and Andrew Callaghan will construct an interactive sound installation that translates babies' movements into improvised music using motion-tracking technology.

When the Entropy Hits

Creative development of a new sci-fi comedic play by local theatre-maker and performance artist Harriet Gillies in conjunction with Griffin Theatre Artistic Director Declan Greene. When the Entropy Hits explores black holes and social media, through the eyes of a local influencer.

The Bondi Podcast

Christopher Beattie will broadcast live from the Yalagang Room, featuring inspirational locals with personal stories of resilience. Audiences are invited to attend the recordings in person.

Launched in 2023, the Local Creative Collaborations program has now supported 16 artistic projects at Bondi Pavilion’s multi-artform and community space, the Yalagang Room, enhancing the artistic life of the building. Available to creatives at all stages of their practice, from emerging to established, the selected projects have a strong connection to the Waverley community.

For more information, please contact: artsopportunities@waverley.nsw.gov.au or visit  Local Creative Collaborations program - Waverley Council.