This is a 1968 newsletter of the City of Warrnambool Theatre Group. It gives information on the forthcoming Summer School of Drama held in Melbourne, the group’s Dinner Dance, a play reading of the play, ‘J.B.’ and the group’s next production, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. The secretary of the group at the time was Ian Hill. Warrnambool has had a great number of community drama societies and groups since the 1860s and the City of Warrnambool Theatre Group has been putting on local stage productions since 1948. Two prominent members of the group were Cyril and Joyce Hayward. Today the group is called the Warrnambool Theatre Company. This newsletter is of interest as an example of an early newsletter from a prominent and important amateur theatre group in Warrnambool. These are two sheets of foolscap paper folded in three places for postage purposes. One page has the postal address of the recipient, two pages have black typing and one page is blank. The front page with the address has a red stamp and postal franking. Originally the two sheets were stapled together but the staples have been removed. The pages have yellowed with age.‘Mrs D. Dixon P.B. 11 Warrnambool 3280’amateur theatre groups in warrnambool, city of warrnambool theatre group

Joyce Hayward and her husband, Cyril came from England to Warrnambool in 1955. For 30 years she and her husband were dominant figures in the performing arts organizations in Warrnambool. Joyce was the Director of the Warrnambool Theatre Company from 1955 to 1985 and directed more than 80 plays and musicals. She founded the Warrnambool Calisthenics Club, helped develop the Holiday Actors Company and was a key figure in the revival of the Warrnambool Arts Council in the 1970s. She was a Life Member of the Theatre Group. Along with her husband she helped to develop and build the Warrnambool Performing Arts Centre. She was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the arts in Warrnambool in 1981. Warrnambool City Council gives Citizenship Awards annually. This is a significant item as it was an important award received by Joyce Hayward, a prominent person in the Warrnambool arts scene for 30 years. This is a bronze-coloured medallion presented to Joyce Hayward as a citizenship award in 1970. It is circular in shape with the crest of the City of Warrnambool on one side and a laurel wreath with inscriptions on the other. It has a metal ring at the top for hanging the item. It is in a black leather box lined with red velvet and white silk and includes a small metal stand to display the medallion. Medallion – City of Warrnambool, Dieu et Mon Droit, By These We Flourish Citizenship Award, J.T.H.Hayward, 1970, Stokes Melb. joyce hayward, warrnambool city council