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Arts and Cultural Award for WollCon

WollCon is among a group of 12 residents and organisations who’ve earned Australia Day Awards for their outstanding contributions to the city of Wollongong.

Awarded the Arts & Cultural Achievement Award, the judging panel recognised that in 2022 WollCon celebrated its 50th anniversary year with the community, and has emerged from the challenges of COVID lockdowns, bigger and better than ever.

WollCon CEO David Francis was thrilled with the award because it recognised the breadth of everything staff deliver and what that brings to the educational and cultural life of the region.

“It’s true recognition of all WollCon does as a dynamic and important organisation.”

David Francis

CEO, WollCon

Junior String Performing

CITATION:

At the height of the pandemic, WollCon provided the majority of its teaching on-line. In 2022, under new CEO, David Francis, WollCon attracted an audience of more than 1,000 to its flagship two-day festival at Gleniffer Brae, where around 500 musicians performed.

WollCon’s in-school program serves 23 local schools, teaching over 1500 children who wouldn’t otherwise have access to live music as part of their learning. WollCon teachers support 40 vulnerable members of the community through their music therapy program. 

Launched in 2022, the Junior Strings Program is the first of its kind in NSW where young students are fully immersed in a musical experience with lessons in music theory, history and providing public performance opportunities.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM extended a hearty congratulations to each of the nominees and award recipients.

“These awards recognise exceptional individuals and groups who have shown a willingness to lend a helping hand, concern for the environment, excellence in innovation, or represented Wollongong in sporting, arts, or cultural endeavours. These individuals and organisations are truly the best of us. It’s an honour to highlight their achievements today. I thank you all on behalf of a proud city.”

Cr Bradbery

Lord Mayor, City of Wollongong

CEO David Francis accepts the award

Photo courtesy of Wollongong City Council.

 

Read the Wollongong City Council article listing all award winners.

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Wollongong Conservatorium is located on Dharawal country. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, celebrate their continuing culture and the contribution First Nations people make to the life of this region and our country.

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Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program

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Dr Sue Savage

Director

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 Mowbray

Director

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 Pearson

Director

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 Morris

Director

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

Deputy Chair

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 Sloan

Chair

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.