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Sally Wiggins

Drums
About Sally

Sally is an accomplished drummer with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Master of Music Performance and was part of the Jazz Program at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music during her high school years. She is recognised for her dynamic expression and musical touch at the drum set. Sally has shared the stage with a range of reputable artists, including Ben Folds, Afro Moses, Frank Sultana, Ray Beadle, Jesse Redwing, Nathan Beretta, Dan Sullivan, Karl S. Williams, Benji and the Saltwater System, Taya Chani, Robyn Martin, & more.
From 2010 to 2021, Sally founded and led her own successful drumming school, The Beat Lab, where over 100 students attended weekly lessons and in November 2015, she was noted in America’s Modern Drummer magazine by Dom Famularo as one of “the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world”.
In 2024, she began teaching at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music before taking a year in 2025 to travel across the country to focus solely on her music performance. She is delighted to return in 2026 and share the insights and experience she gained on the road with her students. 
Sally is passionate about helping her students develop the skills to express themselves authentically and freely at the kit, while building versatility across a range of musical genres.

What do you teach at the Con?

I play and teach rock, jazz, blues, afro, reggae, country, funk, folk, & some latin.

What genres do you teach?

I play and teach folk, jazz, blues, afro, reggae, country, rock, & basic Latin grooves.

What is it that you love about teaching music – particularly at Wollongong Conservatorium?

As a teacher, I value getting to know each of my students as individuals and I shape my lessons around their unique personalities, strengths, and goals so they feel comfortable and confident to explore, grow, and shine in their own authentic way at the drum set.
I am best known for my dynamic expression, musical touch, and strong sense of groove, and I aim to pass on the techniques and musical awareness required to develop these qualities. I am passionate about helping students become versatile players, capable of performing confidently across a wide range of genres.
I am especially excited to be teaching at the Conservatorium of Music, where students have access to valuable ensemble and performance opportunities. These experiences are incredibly beneficial to a student’s overall musical growth and development.

Please share a particular career highlight and why it’s special to you.

I have had the opportunity to play drums for some amazing artists so far including Ben Folds, Ray Beadle, Frank Sultana, Afro Moses, Jesse Redwing, Nathan Beretta, Taya Chani, 8 Ball Aitken, Karl S. Williams, Robyn Martin, Vanessa Jade, Isabel Rumble, Benji and the Saltwater Sound System & More. I had the opportunity to support the Whitlams on their 2024, and 2025 East Coast Summer Tours. I supported The Cruel Sea, and Ash Grunwald in 2025. In 2011 I had the opportunity to play percussion for Ben Folds at The Sydney Opera House. I am grateful for every opportunity thus far, and I look forward to any future opportunities to come! 

What’s one piece of music that you’d recommend people listen to?

That is a tough question, as I love many pieces of music for different reasons and it’s hard to narrow it down to one but I will recommend two albums to check out:
‘We Three’ by drummer Roy Haynes. This is a really lovely jazz album with phenomenal players and I really dig where Haynes sits in the pocket. 
‘After The Flood’ by Ed Kuepper and Jim White. Jim White is the drummer on that album and I love his creativity and sensitivity at the set. 
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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.