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Make Music Day 2026

Wollongong came alive with music on Sunday 21 June as the Wollongong Conservatorium Community Ensembles Program participated in Make Music Day 2026.

Proudly supported by Wollongong City Council, the event featured 10 hours of free performances across the Music Lounge, Town Hall Forecourt and Wollongong Mall, showcasing musicians of all ages and experience levels.

Hundreds of performers took part throughout the day, representing community ensembles, school music programs and guest artists. Audiences enjoyed performances by

  • WollCon Symphony Orchestra
  • Concert Band
  • Offbeat Street Band
  • Conchords
  • Hummingbirds
  • Recorder Revellers
  • Curious Rendition Orchestra
  • Minor Swing Band
  • The Fruit Salads
  • The Dixie Blues Band and
  • Unlikely String Quartet.
The All-Star Scratch Band

One of the highlights of Make Music Day 2026 was the All-Star Scratch Band, which brought together almost 50 students from more than eight local primary schools.

Despite having only one hour to rehearse together, the students learned five arrangements and delivered an energetic public performance to an audience of more than 200 people.

The project demonstrated the power of music education to connect young people from different schools, helping students build confidence, develop ensemble skills and experience the excitement of performing as part of a large group.

The All-Star Scratch Band during their one hour rehearsal.

Events like Make Music Day provide valuable performance opportunities for musicians of all ages, allowing students and community ensemble members to share the results of their hard work with the wider community.

Public performances play an important role in music education and community music-making. They give musicians the opportunity to build confidence, develop performance skills and connect with audiences, while also highlighting the vibrant musical culture that exists across the Illawarra.

For many audience members, Make Music Day offers a chance to experience the breadth of music-making taking place at WollCon, from school band programs and community ensembles through to orchestral performance. It is also an opportunity to celebrate local talent and recognise the dedication of the students, teachers and volunteers who contribute to the region’s musical life.

The All-Star Scratch Band during their performance.

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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.

We thank our supporters and partners

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

© 2023 Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Limited (a Company Limited by Guarantee) ABN 31 080 489 685 Trading as Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
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Matt Lynch

Director

Matt Lynch brings to WollCon extensive executive and governance experience across energy, infrastructure, defence, and government sectors. He has a proven record of delivering enterprise transformation, strengthening risk and governance frameworks, leading the development of innovative IT solutions, and managing data security and safety transformation projects within highly regulated environments. He is recognised for building high-performing teams that achieve sustainable outcomes.

He holds a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Information Science and Technology from the University of Wollongong, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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.