SBW Foundation
Seaborn Broughton & Walford Foundation
In 1986, Dr Rodney Seaborn, a retired Macquarie Street psychiatrist, created a philanthropic foundation to save the Stables from demolition and Griffin from homelessness.
It was a tumultuous time for Griffin. The then owners of the Stables put the building up for auction in November 1985. This sacred place – birthplace of Nimrod and a whole movement of contemporary Australian theatre – might have been lost forever.
The theatre wasn't sold at that auction, but after almost a year of negotiations between the owners and Dr Seaborn, it came under the care of the SBW Foundation for $200,000.
The foundation was very much a family affair. Dr Seaborn, described in the press at the time as a ‘miracle worker' and ‘20th century Medici' – invited two cousins. They were Peter Broughton, a doctor and Leslie Walford, an antique dealer and interior designer. Together they made up the SBW. The other trustees were retired judge Anthony Larkins QC and barrister Lloyd Waddy. They made a brilliant team.
These theatre angels didn't stop there. Not only did they offer Griffin the Stables rent free, but they immediately began a $150,000 renovation of the theatre, something that was desperately needed. For the first time, you could see the stage from every seat. And there was more. Griffin found itself housed in a terrace bought by Dr Seaborn in Little Burton Street, East Sydney. Michael Gow, then chair of Griffin's Board of Directors, called it a ‘dream come true'.
The SBW Foundation went on to purchase and restore the Independent Theatre and to assist the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, The Ensemble, the ANPC, Theatre of Image, Bell Shakespeare Company, Company B and Performing Lines, to name but a few.
For more information on the SBW Foundation, please contact: Tel: +612 9697 7653