Newcastle's Victoria Theatre is the oldest standing theatre in New South Wales, and serves as a physical reflection of a changing society, showcasing how heritage buildings change alongside society's needs. The theatre has a fascinating history of rebuilding and rebranding from the late 19th century all the way through to the end of the 20th century, and the 21st century saw a large push from the Newcastle community to restore the theatre back to its original glory. The theatre today represents a desire for uses of the past in the present, and its history over the 20th century certainly reflects themes of heritage development to meet the needs of a contemporary and changing society.