La Boite Theatre’s 100th Birthday Gala

Minister for Education and the Arts, the Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP; Queensland Senator Nita Green; Brisbane City Councillors; Chair, La Boite Theatre Board, Mr Adam Brunes; Founders, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Mr Tim Fairfax AC and Mrs Gina Fairfax AC; Founders, Girgensohn Foundation, Dr Thomas Girgensohn and Mrs Ingeborg Girgensohn; La Boite Artistic Director and CEO, Ms Courtney Stewart, your predecessors in the role, and Theatre staff; supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening.  

It is an absolute delight to be here this evening to join you for the 100-year birthday celebrations of the La Boite Theatre. 

My husband Graeme and I have always been passionate advocates for the arts in every form. Over the years, we've been fortunate to attend the season launches and opening performances of numerous Queensland arts companies, including the incredible La Boite Theatre. 

And what a remarkable journey it's been. From humble beginnings, this small but determined company has blossomed into a vibrant and cherished institution. A hundred years of growth, creativity, and artistic rebellion—and still thriving! 

This milestone anniversary would not have been possible without dedication, innovation and perseverance. Tonight’s celebrations are an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many people who have contributed to the company’s success. 

Of course, we must also acknowledge the extraordinary vision of founders Barbara Sisley and Professor Jeremiah Joseph Stable, whose dedication led to the creation of the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society in 1925.  

Building on that legacy, the company took a bold step in the 1960s—embracing a new name and an unconventional performance space that reflected a growing appetite for innovation. “La Boite” (French for “the box”, of course) captured both the physical intimacy of its theatre-in-the-round home in Milton and the creative spirit that would come to define this new chapter. 

If we take a moment to reflect, we can see that this passion and commitment has been passed down over the decades by extraordinary artistic directors, producers, actors, artists, writers, board members, staff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters––all of whom have helped shaped La Boite into the amazing professional theatre company that it is today. 

I congratulate La Boite for its strong track record as an incubator for artistic talent, for producing cutting-edge theatre that continues to challenge and enthral audiences, and for nurturing our artists as they transform from emerging to established careers. 

Whether or not you consider yourself a theatre enthusiast, La Boite is something of a household name in Brisbane—a shining light in our cultural life and a company that has rightfully earned a place in the hearts of the city’s most devoted theatregoers. 

Of course, the company’s success would not have been possible without the generosity of its corporate partners and donors—many of whom are here tonight. Graeme and I warmly thank you for your longstanding support. We acknowledge the significant contributions of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and the Girgensohn Foundation, just as we recognise the vital role of ongoing State and Federal funding, which provides a much-needed boost to La Boite’s sustainability.  

We’re also grateful that the Queensland University of Technology not only had the foresight to build a theatre here at the Kelvin Grove campus, but that they made this remarkable space available to La Boite. 

In closing, I congratulate everyone who has played a part in the company’s journey. Thanks to your efforts, La Boite has truly become a Queensland icon—one we are all so proud of. Graeme and I are excited about the company’s future, and we know you share our hopes for its continued success. Thank you.