10 Jan 1958 - first Sydney Opera House lottery

On this day 10 January 1958 the first Opera House Lottery was drawn.

The lottery went on sale in November 1957 in an attempt to raise money for the building of the new Opera House. Tickets cost $10 each and the first prize was $200,000. The last Opera House Lottery was drawn in September 1986.

Source: Visit Sydney Australia (n.d.) Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House booklets

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Yellow book, 1962

Sydney Opera House - the 'Yellow Book'

This 1962 report (commonly known as the 'Yellow Book') comprises plans submitted by Jørn Utzon and consultants

Sydney Opera House - the 'Gold Book'

The printed booklet, commonly known as the 'Gold Book', was issued to accompany the “Ceremony to Commemorate the Commencement of the Sydney Opera House” on 2 March 1959

Red book, 1958

Sydney Opera House - the 'Red Book'

This 1958 report (known also as the 'Red Book') was presented by Jørn Utzon to the Premier and the Sydney Opera House Committee in order to give … a project which realizes in practical form the vision of the competition

Guide to the records

https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/styles/juicebox_square_thumbnail/public/Galleries/Sydney%20Opera%20House/12707_00014.jpg?itok=xFVIaFL8

Sydney Opera House

Highlighting Sydney Opera House records in the State Archives Collection

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Fireworks above the Opera House on the night of the official opening, before the commencement of the opening concert. October 20th 1973.

Opening of the Sydney Opera House

The Opera House was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 20 October 1973. This was followed by a two-week festival of events

Government Printing Office 2 - 29953 - Opera House from Unilever Building [Sydney Opera House (N.S.W.); building construction] [GPO original locations or series - unnumbered] [4/03/1966]

Sydney Opera House construction

We hold records relating to the construction of Sydney Opera House including the stages of construction, who was who, correspondence, plans, contracts, accounting records and more

Sydney Opera House drawings

An International Competition for the design of a National Opera House at Bennelong Point was held in 1956. We hold the original drawings submitted by Jørn Utzon and other competition records

Government Printing Office 3 - 20815 - First live concert in the Sydney Opera House for the purpose of testing the acoustics [Public Works; concert halls] [17/12/1972]

Productions & performances held at the Sydney Opera House

We hold records of productions and performances held at the Sydney Opera House

Harold Blair sings at a piano played by Marjorie Lawrence
First Nations

Paving the way ... Harold Blair: The first Aboriginal opera singer

A short documentary that offers a glimpse into the life of Harold Blair, a world-renowned tenor, family man and political campaigner who sought social justice and human rights for Australia’s First Nations people

The sacred veil, 2022. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

The People’s House: audio interviews

Hear from former staff, creatives and performers about their most cherished memories of the iconic building