About Us
Did you know Medimime is a portmanteau word?
A portmanteau is a word that is formed by combining two different words to create a new word. Through blending the sounds and meanings of two existing words, a portmanteau creates a new expression that is a linguistic blend of the two individual words. The name Medimime was created by blending the words Medical and Pantomime.
Our history
Founded in 1974, Medimime Productions is an amateur theatrical group with a difference. Located in Geelong, Victoria, Medimime was initially formed by a small group of medical professionals from the local hospital to raise money for much needed hospital equipment. The first pantomime, Cinderella, raised $2,200 which purchased a Bennett Respirator for the Intensive Therapy Unit at the Geelong Hospital.
Medimime was original named Z.R.H Productions, after founding members John Zelcer, Donald Robertson and Gerald Hayward. Z.R.H Productions operated for one year before becoming Medimime Productions in 1975. Medimime's annual productions were originally staged in the Plaza Theatre, but in 1981, Medimime's production of Mother Goose opened the newly developed Ford Theatre at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, now known as the Geelong Arts Centre.
Medimime follows the tradition of English hospitals, when an annual Christmas pantomime is presented by hospital and allied health staff, with friends and family filling in the spare roles. As a community group, Medimime also provides social opportunities for staff to mingle and raise funds for the hospital, while improving ties between the Barwon Health and the community.
Medimime have staged many productions over the years and must recently staged pantomimes like Rapunzel: a Tangled Panto, Aladdin, The Grinch, Sleeping Beauty, Sinbad the Sailor, Cinderella and Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs, just to name a few. The 43 pantomimes staged over the last 48 years have provided wonderful entertainment for the greater Geelong community and since its conception, Medimime has raised more than $500,000 for Barwon Health and the vital services they provide our region.
Our Shared Values
As a community group with a rich history and a strong connection to Barwon Health, we share our values. At Medimime, we:
- Respect the people we connect with, through our words and actions.
- show Compassion, through kindness, caring, and a willingness to help others.
- are Commitment to quality and excellence in everything we do.
- take Accountability for what we do, who we are, what we do and what we say.
- are Innovative. For us, this means innovation, not imitation. There is no one in Geelong like Medimime.
Life Members
Gerald Hayward (dec), Ron Cross (dec), Janice Clissold, Kath Blacklock (dec), Garth Birdsey, Doremy Bagshaw, Liz Lester, Belinda Hynes, Ken Hemmens (dec) (2013), Leonie Joynson (2013), Joanna MacCarthy (2014), Tina Johnston (2015), Linda Menzel (2015), Deanne Elliott (2018), Peter Callan (2019), Colin Riley (dec) (2022).
Past Fundraising
