Welcome to Wollongong Conservatorium
Positive Change Through Music

Bursaries

WollCon believes in positive change through music for all and every year WollCon provides a bursary assistance program to help enthusiastic, passionate and committed enrolees with their music lesson fees.

Bursaries are offered to enrolees who require financial assistance in order to maintain their musical activities at WollCon.

We acknowledge the support of the NSW Department of Education in supporting our Bursaries program.

Bursary Information

Any enrolee at WollCon may apply for a bursary.  Enrolees may be currently enrolled at WollCon or a regular participant in our Schools Music Program.

The Bursary program is focused on supporting music activities at WollCon i.e., not to contribute toward fees charged by a Schools Music Program, even if that program is delivered by WollCon staff.

Bursaries are available to those who wish to make a case for financial support from WollCon in order that they may continue their studies at WollCon.

Bursaries are available throughout the year and there is no deadline for applications.  The outcome of an application will be communicated to the applicant within a 10-day period, and prior to the forthcoming term to ensure timely enrolment. 

Priority for support through a bursary will be given to those who are able to demonstrate income support.

To be considered for a bursary an application form must be completed (see apply below).

If an enrolee is offered a bursary, it will not normally exceed a 25% reduction in the enrolee’s WollCon fees.  A bursary lasts until the end of the academic year in which it was awarded.  Thereafter, the enrolee must reapply should they wish to request financial assistance for future years.

WollCon has a finite amount of money it can use towards bursaries.  Therefore, if all the funds have been allocated, bursaries will not be available again until the following financial year.

Bursaries are offered at WollCon’s discretion and the decision of WollCon staff is final. 

Eligibility & T&Cs

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Bursary Application Terms and Conditions
  1. All applications will be reviewed and assessed by WollCon, and decisions will be at the discretion of WollCon.
  2. A bursary is available to cover a maximum of 25% of the cost of a single tuition program of study at WollCon.
  3. Students are eligible for bursary assistance if financial difficulty can be demonstrated. WollCon does not set a family income limit; as to do so would take no account of an individual family’s circumstances. It is up to the applicant to make a reasonable and appropriate case for financial support.
  4. The decision to award a bursary will be made based on the following criteria;
      1. Demonstrated financial need and,
      2. Demonstrated commitment to the music lesson or tuition (if the student is an existing WollCon student, references may be sought from the student’s teacher. If you are new to the Con you can provide an appropriate reference from another music teacher or school teacher).
  5. WollCon reserves the right to withdraw a bursary should the student’s commitment drop below the expected standard,
  6. Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. All applicants will receive written notice of the outcome of their application. All decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Apply

So you've decided to join the WollCon community? We can't wait to make music with you. Let's make that happen!

WollCon
Musings

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.