Who is Weslo
A family business that grew out of Adelaide's music scene.
Weslo Holdings is the parent company of the Weslo Group. Its story runs from a 1960s booking agency, through the rescue of Thebarton Theatre, to the venues, ticketing and event workforce the group runs today.
Our story
Weslo did not start in security. It started in entertainment.
While studying at the University of Adelaide from 1960 to 1964, Bob Lott ran the Jazz Club, played in the University Jazz Band, took part in the Footlights Club, directed Orientation Balls and Prosh Hops, and founded the Australian Intervarsity Jazz Festival. With Ron Tremaine and Jerry Wesley-Smith he then co-founded Central Booking Agency, which became South Australia's leading booking agency. CBA could audition more than 100 bands in a weekend to choose a handful for its roster.
Bookings led to venues. Venues needed tickets sold, doors staffed and crowds looked after. Over five decades Weslo built each of those pieces, and the Weslo Group now brings them together under one name.
Timeline
From the jazz club to the Weslo Group.
1960 to 1964
University of Adelaide
Bob Lott runs the Jazz Club, directs Orientation Balls and Prosh Hops, and founds the Australian Intervarsity Jazz Festival.
1960s
Central Booking Agency
Bob Lott, Ron Tremaine and Jerry Wesley-Smith found CBA. It becomes the state's leading booking agency. Bob recalls booking acts including The Angels, Zoot, Jimmy Barnes, Patsy Biscoe and Bob Francis.
1962 to 1982
Adelaide Festival of Arts
Bob is Venue Manager for the Festival at Thebarton Theatre for twenty years, looking after international productions and performers.
1979
Thebarton Theatre saved
The old town hall faces demolition. Weslo Holdings takes over the lease, renames it Thebarton Theatre and spends more than $1 million on foyers, seating, bars and wiring.
1995
Adelaide Commercial Theatres
Under Bob Lott, the company operates Thebarton Theatre and the Arts Theatre, and wins the lease to run the Noarlunga College Theatre.
2000
Weslo Staff
Weslo Crowd Control, Adelaide Commercial Theatres and Weslo Holdings combine their staffing work as Weslo Staff Pty Ltd.
2002
Holden Street Theatres
Martha Lott founds Holden Street Theatres in the heritage-listed All Saints' church buildings in Hindmarsh, leased by Weslo Holdings.
2008
Patrol dogs
Weslo Staff buys a patrol dog company that had been operating for more than twenty years.
2018
SA Music Hall of Fame
Bob Lott and Robbie Robertson are inducted as booking agents and promoters. Thebarton Theatre is honoured on the same night.
2028
Thebby turns 100
The centenary of the Thebarton Town Hall's opening on 11 June 1928.
The people
The partners who built it.
Owner and Director
Bob Lott
Co-founder of Central Booking Agency. Festival Venue Manager at Thebarton Theatre from 1962 to 1982, then the operator who saved it. Owner and director of Weslo Holdings, Weslo Staff and Venuetix.
Promoter, Thebarton Theatre
Robbie Robertson
Bob's long-standing partner in promoting Thebby, named with him in the South Australian Parliament for the theatre's revival. Inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame with Bob in 2018.
Artistic Director, Holden Street Theatres
Martha Lott
Actor, director and producer. Founded Holden Street Theatres in 2002, created its Edinburgh Fringe Award, and opened Adelaide Town Hall as a Fringe venue in 2011 and 2012.
Co-founder, Central Booking Agency
Jerry Wesley-Smith
The late Jerry Wesley-Smith founded Central Booking Agency with Bob Lott and Ron Tremaine, and was one of the three partners behind its rise in the 1960s and 70s.
Public service
Boards, festivals and the state's big anniversaries.
Jubilee 150
Deputy Chairman
Deputy Chairman of the Jubilee 150 Board, which ran South Australia's 150th anniversary program in 1986.
Royal Adelaide Show
Board and council
Bob has served on boards and councils connected with the Royal Adelaide Show. Weslo Staff has separately supplied staff and security to the Show.
Come Out Festival
Board and council
Board and council service with the Come Out Children's Festival.
Nature Foundation SA
President
Joined the Council in 2003, then served as Vice President and President. During his term the Foundation acquired and developed Hiltaba Nature Reserve, about 780 square kilometres in the Gawler Ranges.
Recognition
SA Music Hall of Fame, 2018.
Bob Lott and Robbie Robertson were inducted as booking agents and promoters. Thebarton Theatre was honoured at the same celebration, with more than 60 musicians taking part.
On the night
Glenn Shorrock
Glenn Wheatley
John Schumann
Red Symons
Mark Holden
How we describe our work
What we produced, what we run, what we service.
Produced and promoted
Shows Bob Lott and his partners booked or promoted: Central Booking Agency acts, Thebby concerts under Bob and Robbie Robertson, and Footlights productions at Holden Street during the Fringe.
Operated
Venues the group has run: Thebarton Theatre since 1979, Holden Street Theatres since 2002, The Danby, and in the 1990s the Arts Theatre and Noarlunga College Theatre.
Serviced
Events where Weslo supplied staff, security or ticketing for another organiser, such as the Adelaide 500, the Royal Adelaide Show and WOMADelaide.