About
- What is the company structure of the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust?
- Is the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust a tax-deductible charity?
- How is the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust funded?
- Are you affiliated with any other organisation?
- How are you different from other organisations that provide scholarships for young singers?
- How are you connected to the legacy of Dame Nellie Melba?
- Where do your scholars undertake their training?
- Who helps the recipients to create their training program for the year?
- What is the value of the scholarships?
- How can I apply for a Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust Scholarship?
- Do you fund overseas training?
Supporting the Melba Opera Trust
The Melba Conservatorium of Music
About
What is the Company structure of the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust?
The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust (ABN 96 424 419 725) was established by a Trust Deed in 2007. The Trustee is Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music (ACN 004 239 490), a not-for-profit company under the Corporations Act 2001.
The Melba Council is responsible for governance, including corporate compliance, and the operational, strategic and financial activities of the Trust.
Council members serve three year terms and the office bearers are elected annually. The Council comprises between six and ten elected Directors who also serve as Trustees. View a list of our Trustees.
Is the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust a tax-deductible charity?
Yes. The Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music, trading as the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust, is registered as an income tax exempt and charitable entity. The Melba Opera Gift Fund is a tax deductible fund listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations under Subdivision 30-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. The ATO has designated the Fund as a Deductible Gift Recepient and thus donations of $2 or more to the Fund are tax deductible.
How is the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust funded?
The Melba Opera Trust relies on donations which are preserved in our Scholarship Endowment Fund. The returns generated from this growing investment enable us to support young singers.
Our operations are currently funded by the proceeds from the sale of the Richmond property which had been the venue for the Conservatorium’s operations. The Trust is growing its Endowment to enable us to sustain both scholarship support and the operations of the organisation in the near future.
The Trust does not receive any Government funding.
To find out more about our investment policy, contact us.
Are you affiliated with any other organisation?
The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust is an independent organisation. We enjoy relationships with a range of entities in the operatic and arts community and regularly collaborate in projects of shared interest or objectives.
How are you different from other organisations that provide scholarships for young singers?
The Melba Opera Trust has a clear purpose: to support the development of young Australian opera singers with exceptional promise. Our programs help young singers to develop essential skills which will enable them to become well-rounded operatic artists.
Our approach is a unique concept that supports young singers in three essential areas.
- Our Scholarship Program provides funding so that our singers can undertake intensive, specialised and expert training that is appropriate for their individual needs.
- Through our Mentor Program we provide workshops and seminars with industry experts to foster a supportive network for their development.
- We create performance opportunities through Melba Artists so our singers can put what they are learning into practice.
By offering these three levels of support, the Melba Opera Trust encourages a rounded development program with a focus on excellence and a view to developing polished young professionals who will stand out in an incredibly competitive industry.
Learn more about our Mentor Program, Melba Artists Program or Scholarship Program.
How are you connected to the legacy of Dame Nellie Melba?
Dame Nellie Melba taught at the Conservatorium for many years and was especially fond of the nurturing nature of the institution. Upon her death in 1931 she bequeathed a generous amount of money with a final resounding wish that her gift would establish a scholarship dedicated to the development of young Australian singers “in the hope that another Melba may arise”.
We continue as the Trustee for The Dame Nellie Melba Trust along with the privilege and responsibility of caretaker of her Memorial at Lilydale.
Our relationship with Melba is further strengthened by the continued patronage of her granddaughter Pamela, Lady Vestey, who has been an avid supporter of the Conservatorium and Trust for many years.
The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust is immensely proud of its association with Dame Nellie, and the legacy we share with Australia’s great diva. Her vision has shaped our core principles and we proudly carry forward her legacy into the 21st century.
Scholarships
Where do your scholars undertake their training?
Each individual training program is unique, negotiated between the scholar and the Melba Opera Trust. Scholarship recipients commit to a comprehensive development program incorporating elements of vocal development, language study, stagecraft, movement and professional development.
Individuals can either work with the Trust to tailor their own development program or nominate an organised post-graduate program at an institution. All programs must demonstrate a balance in the areas of development outlined above.
Find out more about Melba Opera Trust Scholarships.
Who helps the recipients to create their training program for the year?
The recipients work with the Artistic Advisor and General Manager of the Trust to create their program. The program is based on an initial proposal from the recipient and is refined according to the advice of the selection panel. All members of the selection panel are experts in the industry and highly regarded in the opera world.
Find out more about our Scholarships and application processes.
What is the value of the scholarships?
Each year the Melba Opera Trust will have an allocation of scholarship funds to distribute. The value of this allocation will increase over time in line with the capacity of the Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This year (2011) a total scholarship pool of $60,000 has been awarded to seven singers with individual scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
Find out more about our scholarships
How can I apply for a Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust Scholarship?
The Melba Opera Trust invites applications from singers aged between 21 and 28 inclusive, who have completed or are currently completing an undergraduate degree in voice or equivalent program of vocal/operatic studies.
Applicants must be Australian citizens.
Find out more about how to apply.
Do you fund overseas training?
The Melba Opera Trust funds training exclusively undertaken in Australia. The Trust’s Program provides access to a broad range of exceptional educators here in Australia. These specialists help to create strong foundations for our promising young singers aimed at preparing them for the next stage in their career development, be it further study overseas or as emerging professional artists.
Supporting the Melba Opera Trust
What is the Scholarship Endowment Program?
The Scholarship Endowment Program is a capital campaign established to build an endowment fund. The returns generated from this fund enables the Trust to offer scholarships and other forms of support for young singers.
The Scholarship Endowment Fund will ensure that the support of the Melba Opera Trust is sustained and augmented for future generations of Australian opera singers.
Make a gift to the Scholarship Endowment Fund by downloading and completing our Donor Gift Form.
Can I establish a scholarship in my own name?
An individual or business can endow their own scholarship in perpetuity, creating a legacy of support for young singers that will reach through time. To endow a named scholarship in perpetuity requires a tax-deductible donation of $500,000 to be made within a five-year period.
Each year, the benefactor will enjoy a personal connection with the recipient of the scholarship and will share in the young singer’s achievements made possible by by support.
Named Scholarships can also be established by way of a legacy or bequest.
Find out more about endowing a named scholarship, leaving a legacy, and other ways to support us.
Melba Conservatorium of Music
Can I still get past academic records from the Melba Conservatorium of Music?
Yes. All enquiries about the Melba Conservatorium of Music can be made through the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust.
Find out more about the Melba Conservatorium of Music.
Melba Artists
How can I engage your singers for a performance?
Our singers can be engaged for a variety of performances through our Melba Artists program.
Learn more about Melba Artists and how to engage our singers.