Ray retires from WollCon

Considered a legend amongst musicians who have been playing in Australia in the least 40 years, Ray Alldridge has mixed emotions about retiring after learning, playing and teaching piano for over 60 years.

While there have been many highlights throughout his career Ray agrees that people remember him mostly for his live TV appearances from his time on Channel 9. But how did his music career start?

“I started learning piano with the nuns when I was very young but they kept hitting me across the knuckles, so I stopped. Then I took up weekly lessons with Miss Kitson in Brisbane from aged 12 for a few years and that’s when I learnt how to play and completed some exams.”

Ray Alldridge

Music Director, Pianist

As a young teen (14) he worked in the Palings music shop in Brisbane where he met all sorts of musicians and read many of the music books in the store.

“I was able to teach myself quite a bit through reading those books.” Said Ray.

But it was when Ray moved to Sydney in 1969 where he started playing piano in clubs that he found his love was jazz piano. He completed an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies at Sydney Con between 1973-74 for the sole purpose of having some formal training, but it was experience that was important to Ray.

In 1973 he joined the jazz-funk band called the Daly-Wilson Big Band, and was able to tour Russia as part of a cultural exchange program (initiated by the prime minister at the time Gough Whitlam). Part of that tour also included working in Las Vegas in the US. Ray describes this time as a great experience and one that really launched his jazz career.

While there have been many highlights throughout his career Ray agrees that people remember him mostly from his time on Channel 9. During the mid 70’s he worked alongside Geoff Harvey where he learnt the ropes for live television.

“You had to learn a lot very quickly – this was live TV!”

Ray Alldridge

Ray Alldridge eventually took over as the Ray Martin Midday show Music Director, leading a 10-piece band. He describes each day as a challenge but enjoyable.

“There were 2 or 3 music acts for each show, and very little time for preparation. Usually, one rehearsal and one run through with the cameras before going live to air. Occasionally an act wouldn’t turn up – so we had a music gap to fill.”

Ray Alldridge

Another highlight for Ray was being part of Galapagos Duck, a jazz/R&B/soul band which played around Australia but also toured overseas including at the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland) and other festivals throughout Europe.

As a Music Director, pianist and arranger in Australia Ray has worked with Rhonda Burchmore, Grace Knight, Tim Draxl, Christine Anu, Monica Trapaga, and has performed regularly at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne and Adelaide Festival Halls and other Concert Halls around the country, as well as leading jazz clubs and bands.

For the last 10 years Ray has focussed his teaching at WollCon and he’s enjoyed every single day of it, in particular the older jazz improvisation students. As he approaches 79 this year, he made the decision to retire.

“It was truly an honour to have someone with Ray’s skill experience on staff here.  He had a huge impact especially on pianist Marley Rooney who is currently playing professionally in Sydney and Ashton Brown who was a member of the WollCon Jazz Orchestra for several years. And on a personal note, both my son and daughter studied piano with Ray, and they loved coming to their lessons and always commented on how kind he was.”

Eric Dunan

Head of Jazz Program, WollCon

“I wont’ be completely retiring – jazz piano is still very much part of life and always will be.” Said Ray.

You can still catch Ray being part of a weekly gig with the Bill Burton band at the Avalon Bowling Club in Sydney, with Craig Scott on bass and Ron Lemke on drums.

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.