1954 was a year that marked the establishment of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and the beginning of serious government subsidy for the arts in Australia. It was also a year in which a public meeting at the State Library of NSW established the momentum for the construction of the Sydney Opera House.

The Royal Gala Performance by the Australian Ballet was performed on Saturday 6 February 1954.

Australian composer John Antill always imagined Corroboree as a ballet and completed the music score in 1939.