Legendary Australian ballet dancer and choreographer Garth Welch died on Tuesday, September 2, aged 89.
No cause of death has been provided, and it is believed he was in poor health for several years.
A towering figure in Australian dance, Welch enjoyed a career of nearly 50 years and was renowned for both his classical technique and groundbreaking contributions to contemporary performance.
He was born in Brisbane in 1936 and was first taught by some of the leaders in the industry, who had a huge influence on his early career and instilled in him a lifelong passion for dance.
After making his professional debut in musical theatre, he joined Melbourne’s Borovansky Ballet in 1954 and soon established himself as a principal dancer.
Following international stints with Western Theatre Ballet, later the Scottish Ballet, and the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Welch returned to Australia in 1962 to advance his career.
Legendary Australian ballet dancer and choreographer Garth Welch died on Tuesday aged 89. Pictured in 1951
He accepted the role of Principal of the newly established Australian Ballet, personally invited by founding artistic director Dame Peggy van Praagh.
For more than a decade, he was central to the company’s repertoire, performing leading roles in the great classics and creating new ones in works by Sir Robert Helpmann.
His wife, Marilyn Jones, was also a ballet dancer, and together they became one of the most renowned pairings in the industry, frequently sharing the stage.
He partnered leading ballerinas such as Marilyn Rowe, Kathleen Gorham, as well as international stars including Dame Margot Fonteyn.
From the 1970s, Welch established himself as a choreographer and director.
He served as Associate Artistic Director of Ballet Victoria and later led the West Australian Ballet.
His celebrated works included Variations on a Theme (1964), Othello (1968) and Beauty and the Beast (1985), alongside commissions for companies across Australia and New Zealand.
He also collaborated with the Sydney Dance Company, earning international praise for his performance in After Venice in 1984.
A towering figure in Australian dance, Welch enjoyed a career of nearly 50 years and was acclaimed for both his classical technique and groundbreaking contributions to contemporary performance
His celebrated works included Variations on a Theme (1964), Othello (1968) and Beauty and the Beast (1985), alongside commissions for companies across Australia and New Zealand
In later years, he made his long-awaited return to musical theatre, appearing in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1993).
Welch was also a popular face on Australian TV across the ’60s and ’70s, with appearances on programs such as the Bert Newton-hosted variety show In Melbourne Tonight.
In 1981, Welch was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the arts.
He was later inducted into the Australian Dance Awards Hall of Fame in 2002.
Heartbroken fans took to social media to share their memories of Garth.
‘A great loss to the ballet world. I have so many memories of his dancing,’ one person wrote.
‘Beautiful dancer. Condolences to his family,’ a second added.
‘A wonderful dancer and choreographer. It’s a sad day,’ a third chipped in.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and their two sons, Stanton and Damien, both of whom followed their parents into the world of dance.
