Welcome to Wollongong Conservatorium
Positive Change Through Music

Enrolment FAQs

Enrolling with WollCon couldn’t be easier.

Scroll through our Frequently Asked Questions, but if you have any lingering questions, we welcome contact via phone or email… or just drop by the office!

Our Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I apply?

Complete an application form, or alternatively fill in a paper form available from the office. Your application will be acknowledged within 5 working days and you will be given further information on its progress.

PLEASE NOTE: lodging an application does not guarantee a place in the requested program.

Who am I applying to?

You are applying to the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation funded by the NSW Government to provide quality music education in the Illawarra.

When is my application confirmed?

Once your application to a class or ensemble is approved, or a particular lesson arrangement is agreed by both you and a teacher, we will send you an email confirming your enrolment, along with an invoice. Any change or cancellation must be in line with Terms & Conditions of Enrolment.

How long do I stay enrolled?

Your enrolment will roll over each term until you give notice of withdrawal.

How long is a term?

A term comprises 9 lessons over a 10-week period. We have four terms a year and while our terms align closely with school terms, they do not always match when school terms are not 10 weeks. Visit term dates for our annual calendar.

When do I pay?

All fees are due before your first lesson each term and lessons cannot commence until payment is made. Payment plans are available if required, but an initial payment must be made before lessons can start.

What if a lesson is missed?

Do I get a refund? Refunds are not given for student absences other than in exceptional circumstances. We provide you with nine lessons per term (unless your lessons commence after the start of term). If a teacher does not provide all the lessons that you enrolled for in a term, then we will either credit you for the next term or provide a refund.

I want to cancel or defer my enrolment, what should I do?

Notify us in writing to the Enrolments Officer. We will consider you enrolled until we hear differently from you. To avoid being charged for a term, you must notify our Enrolments Officer no later than one week before the start of the relevant term if you are withdrawing or deferring your enrolment.

What’s the difference between withdrawing and deferring?

Withdrawing from a program cancels the enrolment, deferring merely puts it on hold for a specified period, but keeps your place in the program. However, deferring does not guarantee that you can retain the same time or day when you return to the program. If you wish to recommence classes after withdrawing, your application is treated like a new enrolment.

I want to make a change to my enrolment, who do I contact?

Any enquiries regarding enrolments, fees, refunds etc. are to be directed through the WollCon office. Teachers are not authorised to negotiate fee adjustments, refunds or changes to enrolments.

Why is there an administration fee?

The admin fee is to cover some of the costs associated with the many aspects of administering an enrolment for the year. This fee, however, is only payable once each calendar year and only one fee is payable per family, irrespective of multiple classes, ensembles and/or enrolments.

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

What's
for You?

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.