Carrillo Gantner AC (OM 1962) believes that, whether we realise it or not, the performing arts are a part of everyday life for all Australians – and should be accessible to all.
“We participate in the arts every day, from watching Australian content on television, to taking our children to dance classes,” Mr Gantner says. “I know in my life, the arts have given me joy, discovery, learning and revelations about myself and my community. If we can open these doors to more people, that’s a wonderful thing.”
Mr Gantner’s impact on Australia’s performing arts landscape has been transformative. His work has included building important links with Asia’s performing arts world, rebuilding the Playbox Theatre Company as the Malthouse Theatre and, today, working to establish the new Shepparton Art Museum. In all these activities, it’s Australia’s capacity to encompass many cultures that fascinates him.
“Australian culture is hard to bottle because it’s not one culture,” Mr Gantner says. “Australia encompasses everything from our dynamic Indigenous culture to migrant cultures from all over the world. I believe that our place between West and East is our most exciting opportunity. It’s a nonsense to continue to think of ourselves as an outpost of the British or American empires.”
Surprisingly, Mr Gantner’s only interaction with the performing arts during his time at Melbourne Grammar was through the School Choir. “I wasn’t in a single School play,” he explains. “I was inflicted with that disease at University.” A self-described rule-breaker, Mr Gantner adds that an astute decision by the Headmaster, Sir Brian Hone, kept him focused. “I was made Captain of Boats in my final year,” he says. “I had a tendency toward exuberant behaviour, but that kept me from going feral.”
Mr Gantner was also Captain of Debating and thrived through his participation in the LGR Society – regular hikes are still part of his life today. He says the value of collaboration learned through activities such as these have remained central in his working life. “In the performing arts everything is a collaborative endeavour,” he says. “It still takes 20 people to put on a one-man play. You realise a good team produces better outcomes than a star with an okay team.”
Thinking back on his school days, Mr Gantner remembers one of his first interactions with a boy who became a lifelong friend – and who eventually became Chairman of the Melbourne Grammar School Council. “I remember arriving at Wadhurst in third term,” he says. “Our Fifth Form teacher, Mrs Peters, said to a boy named Sandy Clark: ‘You look after this boy.’ He has, really, ever since then.”
Mr Gantner also remembers a number of his Melbourne Grammar teachers fondly, including a French teacher who wrote one particularly memorable comment in his School report. “I can still quote it verbatim: ‘His marks could be improved, but he enjoys life so much it seems a pity to do so.’ I hope that has continued to apply throughout my life.”
About Carrillo Gantner AC
Carrillo Gantner AC is Chairman of The Sidney Myer Fund. His roles have included General Manager of the Melbourne Theatre Company, Founding Director of the Playbox Theatre Company (now Malthouse Theatre), Chairman of Asialink, Chairman of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, President of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and President of The Melbourne Festival. He was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2019 for eminent service to the community through professional involvement in, and philanthropic support for, the performing and visual arts, and to Australia-Asia cultural exchange.
