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Our Patrons

The Gold Palm Theatre Awards is honoured to have three of Australia's most highly-regarded music theatre personalities as our Patrons; Tony Sheldon, well-known for his starring roles in musical theatre blockbusters, Music Theatre Veteran Sheila Bradley, and Entertainer, Actress, Recording Artist and Singer Rhonda Burchmore. Tony was our founding Patron in 2009, and were delighted that Sheila graciously accepted our invitation to become a Patron in 2017. This year in 2026 Rhonda has joined the awards as our third and newest Patron.

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Tony Sheldon
Shelia Bradley

Tony is well-known for his starring roles in such musical theatre blockbusters as DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS in Sydney, and the record-breaking Broadway run of PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. The choice of Tony as our inaugural Patron is appropriate, given that Tony is a Queenslander - born in Brisbane!

Sheila is one of the country's most experienced and best-loved music theatre stars, with a career that spans 60 years working all over the world.Sheila has worked with all the big names in Aussie showbiz - Gordon Chater, Rob Guest, Simon Gallaher, Todd McKenney, Ron Haddrick and spent many years in Paul Sharratt's OLD TIME MUSIC HALL on the Gold Coast.

Rhonda Burchmore

From Sydney to London’s West End to the depths of the South African jungle, Rhonda Burchmore has endeared herself into the hearts of all Australians. With a smile that could light up the Sydney Opera House and a career spanning over 35 years, this vivacious, flame-haired beauty continues to turn heads wherever she goes.

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The first major use of revolving stages began in Japan in the 1750s, and is currently most notably used in Les Misérables, with 63 rotations per performance.