Diana Robinson’s family lived in Second Avenue Mt Lawley.
Jack Harrison performed at the wedding of Diana Robinson and Ken Waldron.
Tribute to Diana Waldron, a Pioneer in Western Australian Ballet by Ken McKay
Diana Waldron, a long term resident of City Beach, sadly passed away on the evening of 27 February 2025.
Diana Waldron was a ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer who was an original member of the WA Ballet, and a devoted performer, she even travelled to Wittenoom in the 1960’s to share her art with those in need of its beauty. Diana was also a fierce advocate for social justice and inclusion. She firmly believed that art transcends all.
Diana began dancing at Patch Theatre Guild and Dance School in the city and as a 12-year-old was invited backstage at the Capitol Theatre when her father took her to see Ballet Rambert.
Diana Waldron, who left Perth Modern School at 15 to forge a path in ballet and music. As the first member of the WA Ballet Company, Diana founded the Diana Waldron Ballet Academy and Prompt Corner, guiding 5 ballet groups to international stages in Europe and 16 students to the Royal Academy of Dance’s highest honour, the Solo Seal.
She was the first person to join the WA Ballet Company in 1952 and was co-artistic director until 1961, when she started Perth City Ballet, where from choreography and costumes to music and marketing, she was hands-on as artistic director.
As a qualified advanced teacher of the Royal Academy of Dancing, she has impacted the lives and careers of thousands of dancers.
The ampitheatre in Floreat bushland came about after Diana said to her architect husband that she wanted a quarry, as it was so expensive to stage productions at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth.
He found one and, as they say, the rest is history.
The first ballet performed was Picnic at Hanging Rock, choreographed by Diana, with one section of the wall of the limestone quarry serving as Hanging Rock.
Perth City Ballet (Ballet Workshop Inc) was founded in 1961 and incorporated in 1969, by Artistic Director, Diana Waldron OAM. She was the Artistic Director of the Perth City Ballet from 1961 to 2016.
Diana was awarded the 2006 Dance Award for Lifetime Achievement to Dance in WA and in the 2019 Australia Day Honours, she was Awarded the Order of Australia for Service to Dance in WA.
https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/5894264/award-leaves-diana-dancing-for-joy/
Diana ran her Ballet School in her home in City Beach and in Floreat.
Jody Harrison attended ballet classes with Diana from 1969 until 1974. In her first concert she was a crab.
