Des Cannings and the South Coast Big Band

He knows how to play the trombone, tuba, sousaphone, euphonium, baritone and tenor horn, and he can compose and re-arrange music while leading big bands. 

Des Cannings seems to have done it all for a musician, and he’s only 27.

It all started for Des from a very young age when was involved in the Eros Big Band with Musical Director and trombonist of the band, the late and great Wal Gregory. 

As a young teenager Des decided to start his own band while he was studying at WollCon, and in 2009 the South Coast Big Band (SCBB) was born – a 17-piece jazz band with a vocalist. How hard could it be?

“Wal Gregory was a huge influence on me. He wrote and arranged music for the Eros Big Band, he was really prolific, over 100 charts! I just thought that was the done thing, so I just copied what he did, but for my younger friends in he SCBB, most of whom were also studying at WollCon.”

Des Cannings

The SCBB began with regional tours, performed at Jazz Festivals and private performances and had regular gigs at various clubs and in particular the Illawarra Jazz club.

“Our first ever gig with the Illawarra Jazz Club in 2009 was for 3 hours, which was quite a lot of music to prepare for a young and inexperienced group but we rose to the challenge.”

Despite his tender years, Des always believed in the success of the band and although there was a high turnover of members early on, things settled down once he had a committed group of players.

“The group is now made up entirely of professional musicians rather than high school students. It actually has evolved from a youth band to one of the best jazz orchestras in NSW.”

To celebrate the SCBB’s 10th year anniversary in 2019 they recorded a debut album called “Alma”. A mix of music written and arranged by the band members as well as musicians from the Wollongong community.

“I think it has been quite successful. It’s really cool to have an album of just Wollongong music, primarily played by Wollongong musicians. We’ve had a lot of great musicians come through the area over the years, a lot of it thanks to Eric Dunan’s work. I think it’s cool to have a recording of many of the musicians who were a part of that upbringing!”

At 27 years of age, Des has achieved a lot for a musician. He is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Program, the musical director of Judy Bailey’s Jazz Connection, the Eros Big Band, the Wollongong Junior Brass Band and is currently a music teacher for the brass and jazz programs at WollCon.

He considers it an honour to be the musical director of the Eros Big Band in particular, given his history with former Director Wal Gregory.

“Definitely huge shoes to fill.”

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.