A Gift to MTC's Future

The late Robert Dunster left a gift to Melbourne Theatre Company when he passed away in 2018, in honour of his longstanding relationship with the Company from its very beginnings.

Robert’s connection to MTC began through his friendship with the late John Sumner AO CBE, who founded the Company in 1953 to present repertory seasons of the world’s best plays at the Union Theatre at the University of Melbourne. An architecture student at the University, ‘Robert, fascinated by all aspects of theatre, offered to do posters for productions at that time,’ Robert’s wife, Judy Dunster, said.

‘In return, John helped him to put together a brief for a professional theatre, such as the Company would have loved to be able to afford, which Robert used for an assignment and then as resource material when he went on to study theatres and opera houses in Europe.’

Though Robert never designed a theatre, he and a friend did enter the competition to design the Sydney Opera House and placed ‘what they fondly termed “equal fourth”,’ Judy explained.

Having since been a loyal MTC Subscriber who ‘rarely missed a production’, Robert decided to leave a donation to MTC at Judy’s suggestion shortly before he died in 2018, in recognition of over 60 years of theatrical pleasure, starting with his friendship with John Sumner.

‘There was no question in Robert’s mind that any donation he made to MTC must be directed to the MTC Endowment Fund where it would contribute to the long term financial security of the company.’

Robert’s generosity will continue his decades of enjoyment spent with MTC from the Company’s very foundation and ensure his love of theatre is shared by generations to come.

Ensure the curtain never falls

If MTC has played an important role in your life, we invite you to play a role in its future.

Bequests provide for the future of Melbourne Theatre Company and by remembering MTC in your will, you are giving the gift of inspiring arts experiences and opportunities to generations to come. Unless otherwise directed, bequests received will be invested in MTC’s Endowment Fund and the income earned will continue to contribute to a strong and artistically vibrant future for the Company.

MTC has established the Legacy Circle to honour and thank individuals who leave a bequest to the Company in their will. Public acknowledgement can inspire others to remember us in their wills, but if anonymity is your preference, this will be respected.

We understand and appreciate that the decision to leave a bequest is a very personal one.

If you are considering, or have already, included a legacy gift to MTC in your will, please contact us. For more information or a confidential discussion please contact Chris Walters, Annual Giving Manager, on 03 8688 0938 or c.walters@mtc.com.au. Learn more here.