Rodney Seaborn

Rodney Frederick Marsden Seaborn (1912 − 17 May 2008) was an Australian psychiatrist, businessman, and philanthropist in the performing arts sector. He was responsible for supporting many theatre companies and professionals in Sydney, and was an advocate of Australian theatre.

He was the founding president of the Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation (SBW), and the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award was established in 2000 funded by him and continued by a dedicated trust fund.

Early life and education Rodney Frederick Marsden Seaborn was born in 1912. His parents were Leslie, a solicitor and amateur actor, and Ethel Seaborn, a singer.

He grew up with a love of theatre. His maternal grandmother, Edith, often took him to the theatre as a child.

In 1993, when the Elizabethan Theatre Trust faced financial problems, Seaborn purchased Independent Theatre in North Sydney.

The award is given for the development of an approved type of performing arts project, and provides financial assistance for playwrights while they are writing or developing the work. It may also assist with production costs, workshops, and other costs, and may be awarded to a single person or jointly, for example to writers, composers, designers, directors, and producers working on a project. It is funded by the Seaborn Trust, from Rodney Seaborn's estate, not the Foundation.

the trustees are: ) Lee Lewis, theatre director

Other funding of awards The Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation was a major contributor to the annual Glugs Theatrical Awards, administered from 1973 until 2020 by a group of Sydney theatre-lovers known as The Glugs. This group's major award was named The Rodney Seaborn Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognition and honours 1997: Officer of the Order of the British Empire 1998: Officer of the Order of Australia 2001: Appointed director and life governor of NIDA 2007: Lifetime Achievement Award, Sydney Theatre Awards

Personal life Seaborn never married, although he said he had been close a few times. He belonged to several clubs, including Australasian Pioneers and the Royal Sydney Golf Club, because, he said, "I like membership, I like being with people. I've always enjoyed that part of life."

Death and legacy Seaborn died on 17 May 2008. His funeral was held at All Saints Anglican Church in Woollahra on 26 May 2008. Justice Lloyd Waddy, who had been a founder member of SBW, along with Hon. Tony Larkins, wrote a long eulogy, relating that the press had described Rodney as a "white knight" of the theatre.

The Rodney Seaborn Award continues his philanthropic legacy.

The Rodney Seaborn Library at NIDA bears his name.

Selected works