Gondwana Choirs Annual Report 2012

our annual report 2012
we change
lives
everyday
through music
our mission
to be Australia’s young
ambassadors of song
our vision
To inspire and provide life-changing musical,
cultural and educational opportunities for
talented young people across Australia: the
musicians, conductors and composers of the
future;
To commission, compose and perform
exciting, original and quality choral repertoire
throughout Australia and the world; and
To be acclaimed by professional arts bodies,
Australia’s most talented musicians and a
broad audience as a vibrant and essential
national institution of quality choral music
performance, creation, education and
training.
Gondwana Choirs wishes to
show our respect and acknowledge
the Traditional Custodians of the land
throughout Australia.
We are committed to collaborating and
celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures through music and song.
In doing so, we know that Indigenous Australian
cultures continue to strengthen and enrich our
community.
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who we are
Gondwana Choirs was founded in 1989 by Artistic
Director Lyn Williams OAM and delivers three of the
world’s most dynamic choral programs for young
people: the Gondwana National Choirs (Voices,
Chorale, Singers and Junior), Sydney Children’s Choir®
and Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir.
We provide bursaries and outreach choral education
programs at no cost, ensuring access for young
people from across Australia. We are distinguished
by our artistic excellence, high quality education,
our focus on newly commissioned, culturally diverse
and innovative repertoire, and our joyful approach
to music making.
our
values
what’s inside
Welcome
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Artistic Staff
7
Our Choirs
12
Gondwana National Choirs
13
Sydney Children’s Choir®
16
Gondwana National Indigenous
Children’s Choir
21
Our People
24
Looking Ahead
29
Our Supporters and Donors
33
Concise Financial Report
39
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our year
our values
welcome from our Chair, Rebecca Davies
In our Annual Report of 2012, you’ll read about the amazing performances and the changes
we’ve seen during the year. I’m particularly excited to be including some personal stories
from our choristers and I hope these stories give insight into the life-changing impact
Gondwana’s choral programs have on the young people and children who take this journey
with us.
For the first time we’ll also hear from one of our committed donors and take the time to acknowledge everyone
who is involved with Gondwana Choirs, from our artistic staff, choristers, volunteer supervisors, office staff, Board
members and all our fantastic donors.
Most importantly, you’ll see our values reflected in the stories we share and the work we do.
It’s the hard work of our choristers and artistic staff - at National Choral School in January, at weekly rehearsals and
choir camps - that develops the sheer excellence displayed in performances throughout the year.
We had comments about the professionalism of Gondwana Voices choristers (both on-stage and off) during their
tour of China in July. They were one of only five international choirs invited to participate at the 2012 World Choral
Summit in Beijing, China in July.
Heritage in Song - a major highlight of the year saw the commissioning and premiering of a new work for Sydney
Children’s Choir by Stephen Leek showcasing our collective creativity. Heritage in Song was a multi-faceted choral
performance that demonstrated the cultural diversity of the Sydney Children’s Choir families through music, song
and images. The concert also involved children from the Auburn Local Government Area through our Sydney
Children’s Choir outreach program, performing a specially commissioned piece by Dan Walker based on Jeannie
Baker’s book Mirror.
In September, we welcomed Rio Tinto as our first Principal Partner, who are supporting us in the delivery of the
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir program. This program runs at completely no cost to participants,
their families or communities - bringing to life our goal of accessibility for these very talented young people.
Participation in the program instils pride, builds confidence and career pathways, creates lasting relationships
between Indigenous and non-Indigenous young Australians and gives young people a platform to share their voice
and culture.
Gondwana Voices and Gondwana Singers were joined by the Sydney Children’s Choir to perform at the Voices of
Angels Christmas concerts at City Recital Hall, in Sydney. Every year, I feel shivers in the audience as the angels’
voices dance in my ears and I think it’s a beautiful way to bring our community together and close the year.
I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s been a tremendous year for Gondwana Choirs and we have grown from
strength-to-strength. It’s my ongoing pleasure to be Chair of the Board for an organisation that embeds joy,
positivity and love of music in the education and performance opportunities enjoyed by our choristers across
Australia.
Yours in music,
Rebecca Davies
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a message
from
lynwilliams
OAM
Artistic Director
& Founder
I do not often take the time to consider why so many young people become hooked on
choral music through their involvement in Gondwana Choirs.
Why do young people remain in the Sydney Children’s Choir for up to a decade? Why do Australians from across the
land save all year to attend Gondwana National Choral School and work harder over two weeks than they do for
the rest of the year? Why do members of the Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir dedicate two
afternoons a week to attend choral rehearsals?
Young people know that the rewards for their hard work and dedication are rich and plentiful. At Gondwana Choirs
we have learnt to expect remarkable things from all our singers. A choir rehearsal is a safe place to be smart, it’s
safe to love music and to be creative, it’s safe to really work hard and extend yourself, it’s safe to be different. It’s
fun to be a leader one moment and an equally valued voice amongst hundreds the next. It feels great to know that
every voice matters.
The thrill begins with the first taste of sheer joy that goes with contributing to a glorious sound as part of a choir.
The choral journey touches so many aspects of our humanity: creativity and imagination, intellect and memory,
focus and determination, pride and self-respect, teamwork and leadership, musicianship and artistry, friendship
and generosity. To create one choral voice is to collaborate closely and with intensity on so many levels.
Whether a chorister is on the quest for the highest standards at an international event, a singer in the Auburn
outreach project grasping a simple harmony, or a child in a remote community experiencing choral singing for the
very first time, they know instinctively that this is their chance to excel as part of something remarkable.
These young people are a great inspiration to me and to our talented and dedicated Gondwana team. With the help
of our wonderful supporters, we look forward to providing a wealth of life-affirming choral experiences for young
singers in the future.
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Working with Gondwana Voices is like working with any good adult
choir, but with two main differences: their levels of enthusiasm (high)
and suspicion of new things (low).
My experience of the singers is that they are completely serious about what they do
and they believe they can get things right, which is generally true. This is not just a
matter of the confidence of youth, it is also about training. The people who work
with them - especially Lyn Williams, but really all of the conductors - have such a
positive attitidue to music and to work that it transfers quickly to the children
themselves.
When we recorded choral sounds recently for my sound installation/performance
piece, In progress, there was often no written music, and the singers had to make
individual decisions about which notes to sing and when. They took to this like ducks
to water and the results are very beautiful.
Andrew Ford
Composer, Writer and Broadcaster on ABC’s Radio National
to offer young people the skills
and opportunities to succeed in a
professional environment with the
very finest artists in Australia,
across a broad range of art forms
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the
people involved with Gondwana Choirs for enabling the
wonderful National Choral School to take place.
My daughter, Zoe Heath, has been twice now to Gondie and just loves the
experience. Before Gondie, Zoe always felt slightly isolated from the
other kids at school here in Darwin because of her passion for music. I
will never forget her first phone call home where she was so excited to
be at Gondie and that ‘there were other kids who loved music like she did!’
I know Zoe loves being part of a choir where you are expected to be at your
best - instead of her school choir where she was unable to sing to her best
because of ‘bullying’ by some of the other girls. Gondie, for Zoe, has been like
someone turning on a light for her.
For children and young adults to be able to get together in such a nurturing and caring environment with
like-minded people for an extended period of time is an amazing experience and opportunity.
The growth we see in Zoe when she returns from Gondie is lovely. She has returned twice now extremely happy
(and we are still getting Gondie stories) and more confident. Zoe has started at a new school this year but the
Gondie experience and the support that it has given her has made her determined to continue singing with the
school choir regardless of what other people think or say. And this has to be a good thing.
As Zoe has said to me about Gondie ... “It is the best thing I’ve done in my life!”
So thank you.
Lisa Heath
a message
from
lisa
heath
mother of Zoe
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artistic
staff in 2012
Lyn Williams OAM
Artistic Director, Founder & Conductor
Lyn Williams is Australia's leading director of choirs for young people having founded two internationally renowned
choirs: Sydney Children's Choir in 1989 and the national children's choir Gondwana Voices in 1997. Under her
inspirational leadership, the Gondwana Choirs organisation has grown to include 12 training ensembles of the
Sydney Children’s Choir, four Gondwana National Choirs, Gondwana Composer School and Conducting Academy,
and the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir. Lyn Williams’ exceptional skill in working with young
people is recognised internationally for its high artistic quality and ground-breaking innovation.
Lyn has conducted many major professional choirs and orchestras in Australia, including the Sydney, Adelaide and
Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra and Sydney
Philharmonia Choirs. She has been Music Director and Conductor for a number of major events including 2006
Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Lyn has also toured internationally with her choirs, including visits to Europe, Asia, North and Central America. In
2007 she led Gondwana Voices on a 10th Anniversary international tour to Canada, France, and to the BBC Proms
in London where they were the first Australian children’s choir to perform at this prestigious event. In 2010 the
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir performed at Australian National Day at the World Expo in
Shanghai, and Sydney Children’s Choir undertook their 21st Birthday Tour also to China. In 2012 Lyn toured to China
with Gondwana Voices where she was guest conductor and workshop leader at the International Federation for
Choral Music’s World Choral Summit.
In January 2004 Lyn Williams was awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her services to
the Arts as Founder & Director of Gondwana Choirs. She also received the NSW State Award at the 2006 Classical
Music Awards for her long-term contribution to the advancement of Australian music. Lyn is a Churchill Fellow and
also a composer. In 2009 she won the APRA-Australian Music Centre Vocal / Choral Work of the Year for her work
A Flock of Stars.
Without the hard-work, dedication and talent of our artistic staff and collaborators Gondwana
Choirs would not be able to attain the standards of excellence at our performances and in
rehearsals. Collectively they have thousands of hours of experience and they impart wisdom,
share their expertise and love of choral music, with all our choristers.
Sam Allchurch
Guest Conductor • Guest Conductor Mirror Project
Sam Allchurch was awarded a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Diploma in Language (German) by the University
of Melbourne in 2011. In 2010, he was the Assistant Conductor for the Sydney Children’s Choir’s China Tour, as well
as the Assistant Chorusmaster for the choir’s performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony with the Sydney Symphony.
In 2011 Sam founded the Cecilian Voices whose inaugural concert raised funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
During his studies, he was the Senior Choral Scholar at Trinity College, the University of Melbourne and Organ
Scholar of Christ Church South Yarra. He is currently undertaking postgraduate studies at Gonville and Caius College
at the University of Cambridge with the generous support of a Gates scholarship.
Erica Byrne
Conductor, Sydney Children’s Choir, Mini-Singers Year 1 and Jarman Choir
Erica completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and holds a
Diploma of Education from the University of New South Wales, majoring in Drama. Erica has taught in numerous
primary and secondary schools and has previously conducted for the Australian Girls Choir. As a performer, Erica has
worked with Echelon Theatre Company, Holland America Cruise Line, has appeared in the TV series All Saints and
has been a member of the acclaimed gospel choir, Café of the Gate of Salvation. Erica is also the proud manager of
the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir.
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Luke Byrne
Guest Pianist, Gondwana Chorale
Luke Byrne is emerging as one of Australia’s most versatile musicians, working as a pianist, musical director,
composer and arranger. Luke’s musical theatre credits include The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie
(Sydney Festival/Belvoir St Theatre), The World’s Wife (Melbourne Theatre Company) and Tyran Parke’s album The
Black Rose. In 2011 Luke’s compositions were performed by MLC and PLC Schools, Sydney Youth Orchestra, Sydney
Brass and Taikoz. In 2010 Luke was the Musical Assistant to the Director for the Australia National Day concerts at
Shanghai World Expo, and Children’s Chorus Master for Opera Australia’s Christmas Capers concerts. Luke works as
an accompanist with choirs including Gondwana Choirs, The Leichhardt Espresso Chorus, Moorambilla Festival Choirs
and MLC School. In 2013, Luke will be the Composer in Residence for Sydney Children’s Choir in partnership with
the Powerhouse Museum.
Carl Crossin OAM
Guest Conductor, Gondwana Chorale
Carl Crossin - conductor, educator, composer, and clinician - is well known and respected throughout Australia as a
choral specialist. He is the Founder & Conductor of Adelaide Chamber Singers, a professional ensemble with whom
he has toured the UK, Norway, Japan, Singapore, Canada and the USA as well as performing at several of Australia’s
major arts festivals. Carl and Adelaide Chamber Singers have won several awards for their performances and CD
recordings, and have represented Australia at major international choral and music education symposia and
festivals. In addition to his many international and national tours with various choirs over the past 30 years, Carl
has been a clinician, conductor and adjudicator at summer schools, festivals, conferences and competitions
throughout Australia and internationally. Carl is currently Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the
University of Adelaide, where he also teaches Conducting and is conductor of the Elder Conservatorium Chorale.
Carl was awarded an OAM in 2007 for his services to choral music.
Jem Harding
Guest Pianist, Gondwana Singers • Pianist, Sydney Children’s Choir, Leek Choir
Jem Harding studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and holds an A.Mus A and L.MusA. He has won
a number of competitions at State level, the National Eisteddfod, Australia and in 2005, was a finalist in the
international piano competition and The Concurs D’Andorra in Spain in 2006. As a teacher, accompanist, repetiteur
and orchestral pianist he has worked with numerous Sydney Companies; the Sydney Conservatorium, South
Australian State Opera, St. Andrew’s Cathedral School, WAAPA and Opera Australia.
Allison Harrigan
Choral Education Director, Sydney Children’s Choir
Allison holds a Masters degree in Choral Conducting and Aural Training from the University of Queensland. She
enjoyed lecturing in music at Melba Conservatorium and Head of Music roles at leading Melbourne schools before
moving to Sydney. Allison is currently Director of Choirs at SCEGGS Darlinghurst and maintains a busy schedule of
adjudicating and lecturing in music education in addition to her many hats with Gondwana Choirs. She is passionate
about working with young voices and holds a special interest in Australian choral music.
Paul Holley
Principal Guest Conductor, Gondwana Chorale
Paul Holley is a choral conductor, educator and motivator. His personal warmth and passion for choral music have
inspired many singers to discover and develop their skills and achieve personal fulfilment as choral musicians.
Presently Paul is the Associate Director of Voices of Birralee and conducts two ensembles within this organisation,
the Birralee Blokes and Resonance of Birralee. Both of these ensembles have toured nationally and internationally
representing Australia at festivals and competitions. Paul is also a choral director and teacher at Brisbane Girls
Grammar School. As a choral educator, Paul is dedicated to excellence in choral education and regularly features as
guest conductor and clinician at festivals, conferences and music competitions throughout Australia. He has also
contributed a chapter to the book Male Voices: Stories of Boys Learning Through Making Music. 2013 will be Paul’s
seventh year as Principal Guest Conductor of Gondwana Chorale.
Stephen Leek
Gondwana Choirs International Ambassador • Director, Gondwana Composer School
Guest Conductor, Gondwana Singers • Conductor, The Key Changers Boys’ Choir
Freelance Australian Composer/Conductor Stephen Leek has long associations with some of the finest and most
innovative choirs around the world including Gondwana Voices (Australia), the Tapiola Children’s Choir (Finland),
Kamer Choir (Latvia), The Formosa Singers (Taiwan), and his own choirs, vOiCeArT and The Australian Voices, that
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he co-founded and conducted for 17 years.
As a conductor, Leek is in demand to work as guest conductor around the globe. As a composer Leek writes in his
own distinctive contemporary style that is often imitated by others, and his works, which have broad appeal, are
performed by a wide selection of choirs throughout the breadth of the world. He has been commissioned by some
of the leading choral groups. Having written 13 operas, numerous orchestral and chamber works, music for
education and dance, yet, Leek is often credited as the ‘co-founder of Australian choral music’ through his
composition of over 700 innovative choral works. A Churchill Fellow, Leek has received many national and
international awards including the prestigious ‘Robert Edler International Choral Prize’ for his contribution to global
choral music. Leek is currently Vice President of the International Federation for Choral Music and also the Artistic
Director of the Shanghai Youth Choir.
Harley Mead
Guest Conductor, Junior Gondwana
Harley is a Brisbane-based composer, conductor and educator who works nationally and internationally with
musicians of all ages and backgrounds, both amateur and professional. He began his undergraduate studies at
UNSW and completed his Masters of Music Studies through the University of Queensland. He also has several
performance diplomas and a Licentiate in Composition from Trinity College London. Harley has been guest
conductor for numerous events including the Qld Music Festival, Brisbane Riverfest, ANCA Victoria Honours Choir,
GPS Music Festival and the KWAYA tour of Uganda, Africa. He has been composer-in-residence for the Brisbane
Grammar School, Brisbane Birralee Q150 tour of Queensland and frequently for schools, ensembles and numerous
community organisations. Harley is the Director of Choirs at The Glennie School and Director of Performance
Toowoomba Grammar School, Queensland. He is devoted to exploring music as a way to communicate ideas,
emotions and stories with people from all cultural and social backgrounds.
Mark O’Leary
Principal Guest Conductor, Gondwana Voices
Mark O'Leary, Churchill Fellow, is the founder and Director of the Young Voices of Melbourne (YVM), which has run
for 22 years. With YVM Mark has produced nine CD recordings, toured all states and territories of Australia and made
six international tours to Europe, South Africa, North America and Asia. YVM has been successful in competition in
Europe and Asia and is often heard on Australian radio and television.
Mark is the publisher of the Young Voices of Melbourne Choral Series and his arrangements are performed around the
world. He presents many workshops each year on choral music education throughout Australia and is a regular guest
conductor at choral festivals across the country. Mark has special interests in Kodály teaching techniques, the
development of excellence in music education and children's choirs, and Australian choral music. Mark has been
involved with Gondwana Voices since its first season in 1997, and in 2013 attended his 14th National Choral School.
Amandine Petit
Conductor, Sydney Children’s Choir, Walker choir, Twist Choir • Vocal coaching Leek and JVS program
French-born Amandine Petit completed a Master’s degree in musicology at the Université Marc Bloch and a
Bachelor of Performance in voice at the Conservatoire of Strasbourg before moving to Australia in early 2007. In
France she has had several years of experience as a vocal coach, musicianship teacher and choral conductor. As a
performer, she has been a regular member of the Chamber Choir of Strasbourg, touring with the group to Senegal,
Germany and Switzerland. Her specialization in both early and contemporary music led her to co-create the
all-female vocal quartet Sotto Voce in 2003. In the same year she also represented France as the anthem singer for
the Rugby World Cup. Other performance highlights include Berlioz’s Les Troyens at Opera du Rhin, L’Amour de Loin
by Saariaho in Lebanon and various film and television score recordings. Since arriving in Sydney Amandine has
sung with Sydney Chamber Choir, Cantillation, The Parsons Affayre and Eminence Symphony Orchestra. She is
currently a singing teacher at SCEGGS Darlinghurst and International Grammar School and the conductor of the
French Australian Voices of Sydney.
Sani Townson
Choreographer and Mentor, Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir
Sani was born in Townsville, North Queensland in 1975 and is a descendant of the Saibai Koedal clan of Saibai
Island, of the Torres Strait Islands. He works closely with the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir as a
mentor and a choreographer where he promotes Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture in song and language.
In 2009, Sani co-wrote, choreographed and directed the critically acclaimed children’s opera Ngailu – Boy of the
Stars in collaboration with the Sydney Children’s Choir and the Children of the Torres Strait.
As a dancer and choreographer Sani has performed with Bangarra Dance Theatre where he has been seen in
award-winning productions and toured extensively domestically and internationally. He regularly conducts
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traditional Torres Strait Islander dance workshops. He has also performed with Christine Anu, Gina Rings and in
numerous festival performances including the acclaimed “I am Eora” directed by Wesley Enoch, while his
song-writing featured in the Qantas “I Still Call Australia Home” commercial. He is currently presenting on the
health-lifestyle show "Move it Mobstyle" which is being aired on NITV and ABC3.
Elizabeth Vierboom
Guest Conductor, Junior Gondwana • Conductor, Sydney Children’s Choir, Mini-Singers Year 2
Elizabeth Vierboom studied music at the NSW Conservatorium of Music and the University of Sydney majoring in the
violin and pipe organ. Having played and toured with the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Youth Orchestra, Elizabeth then turned to teaching high school and primary music and further developing her interest in choral
music. This dates back to her high school choir conductor, Richard Gill, whose energy and love of singing was
infectious.
Elizabeth has conducted award winning choirs in schools around NSW, founded the St Mary’s Cathedral Girl
Choristers, worked with the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir and Gondwana Voices on several
projects and has guest conducted massed choirs at music festivals. Elizabeth is currently teaching at Abbotsleigh
School.
Dan Walker
Conductor, Sydney Children’s Choir, Kats-Chernin Choir • Guest Conductor, Gondwana Singers
Dan Walker studied composition at the Queensland Conservatorium, and worked closely with composer and choral
educator Stephen Leek while at The Australian Voices as Assistant Conductor. He moved to Sydney in 2002 and
began working with Sydney Children’s Choir, both as a composer and conductor. Since then, he has worked with
many of Gondwana’s Choirs; the fabulous Mini-Singers, Senior Choir, Gondwana Voices, Gondwana Singers and
Gondwana Chorale. Dan has worked with children of all ages within Gondwana Choirs and in 2013 will take on the
role of Associate Artistic Director at Gondwana Choirs. He will be working predominantly with
Stanhope/Atherton/Kats and Leek choirs. He will also maintain his position as choir director at St Ignatius College,
Riverview and St Catherine’s, Waverley.
Sally Whitwell
Principal Pianist, Gondwana Choirs • Conductor, Sydney Children’s Choir, Leek Choir
Sally Whitwell maintains a busy and richly varied career as pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. Sally's debut
solo album Mad Rush (Solo Piano Music of Philip Glass) won the 2011 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album. Her
sophomore recording The Good, the Bad and the Awkward was nominated in 2012. In May 2013, she will record
her third album All Imperfect Things featuring the film music of British composer Michael Nyman. Recent performances include the Complete Piano Etudes of Philip Glass for Perth International Arts Festival 2013, a recital
performed with Philip Glass and Maki Namekawa. Sally's very personal show Once Upon a Time:Ten Tiny Dancers,
a mix of piano recital and cabaret, recently premiered in March 2013 at The Famous Spiegeltent.
Sally is known for devising special text-driven, semi-theatrical pieces for choirs, most recently for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Beatles Unplugged. She is currently creating another for Sydney choir Bel Acappella celebrating
Benjamin Britten's 100th by recontextualising his work within a series of British pop songs.
Currently, Sally is working on several compositions for young people, including an HSC level flute and piano work
for Fluteworthy and a new choral/theatre piece for St Ursula's College Toowoomba. Sally works to inspire others'
musical creativity, including delivering improvisation based composition workshops and co-composing with young
people.
Andrew Basile, Marcus Bortolotti, Sue Buckle, Chris Burcin, Chloe Szu Yu Chen, Felicity Clark, Tristan Coelho, Tim
Cunniffe, Eavan Dowse, Jared Furtado, Lauren Hannay, Nelia Justo, Ruth McCall, George Popov, Susanne Powell,
Amy Putt, Amber Reid, David Russell, Elizabeth Scott, Jeremy So, Kate Thompson, Joseph Twist
Orchestral Musicians
Bridget Bolliger, Emmanuel Cassimatis, Petra Chaplin,
Thomas Dethlefs, Nicole Divall, Aiko Goto, Dominique Guerbois,
Jane Hazlewood, Joshua Hill, Michelle Kelly, Liew Kiek,
Rebecca Lagos, Genevieve Lang, Jemima Littlemore,
Muhamed Mehmedbasic, Oliver Miller, Jason Noble,
Rosamund Plummer, David Rawden, Veronique Serret,
Daniel Williams, Kirsten Williams, Rachel Whealy
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new works
commissioned by us in 2012
Gloria
Composed by Ollie McGill & Felix Riebl from The Cat Empire for National Choral School. It was performed at
the National Choral School concerts at Verbrugghen Hall, in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. It was a
fantastic collaboration and the relationship with these guest artists will continue into 2013.
Heartland
Composed by Dan Walker and performed by Sydney Children’s Choir for the re-opening of the Park Hyatt
Hotel, Sydney in March.
The Arrival
Composed by Dan Walker and written with input from choristers from Auburn Local Government Area
schools and Sydney Children’s Choir choristers, performed at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta in September
(with Mirror).
Mirror
Composed by Dan Walker, Mirror is a 20 minute work based on Jeannie Baker’s picture book of the same
name. It was performed by choristers from schools in Sydney’s Auburn Local Government Area with Sydney
Children’s Choir at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta and City Recital Hall, Angel Place (with Heritage in Song) in
September, accompanied by images from the book.
Heritage in Song
Composed by Stephen Leek, in collaboration with SCC choristers and inspired by their family histories,
Heritage in Song is a 40 minute work, performed for the first time by Sydney Children’s Choir as part of a
special multimedia performance at City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
Wise Men Three
Composed by 2012 Sydney Children’s Choir Composer-in-Residence and pianist Luke Byrne. It was
performed at Voices of Angels by Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Voices and Gondwana Singers at City
Recital Hall, Angel Place, and was broadcast live nationally on ABC Classic FM.
As part of the SCC Composer-in Residence program, Luke Byrne has composed three works yet to be
performed - Kites, The Number One Train and Travelling Companion.
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our
choirs
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gnc highlights
Gondwana National Choirs
In January 2012 we celebrated 15 years of our annual National Choral School (NCS), which
was held at Macquarie University’s Dunmore Lang College for the first time. NCS is a vibrant
community of up to 300 young choral singers, conductors and composers, a large artistic and
operations team and a number of fantastic volunteers from across Australia.
NCS offers Australia’s best young singers (aged 10-24) an intensive, high-quality experience, coming together to
form four choirs of excellence – Gondwana Chorale, Gondwana Voices, Gondwana Singers and Junior Gondwana. The
choirs worked with some of the world’s best choral conductors, as well as guest artists such as Felix Riebl and Ollie
McGill from The Cat Empire, who wrote and arranged new work for all four choirs. Gondwana Chorale also recorded
backing vocals on several of Felix's original compositions for the 2012 Australia Day Spectacular (featuring Katie
Noonan).
2012 NCS also saw the continuation of our Composer’s School, led by Stephen Leek; Gondwana Voices’ lunchtime
concert at St James; Gondwana Singers performing the National Anthem at the Australia Day lunch at the Sydney
Exhibition Centre; and of course two amazing and inspiring concerts at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to finish
off the fortnight.
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Throughout 2012, our four national choirs took part in various choral projects: Gondwana Junior joined their SCC peers
at the Kats-Chernin & Leek choir’s camp and community concert; Gondwana Chorale was invited to perform at the
Four Winds Festival at Bermagui; Gondwana Voices and Gondwana Singers joined the SCC to perform the Voices of
Angels concerts at City Recital Hall; and Gondwana Voices had the honour of being invited to represent Asia and the
South Pacific at the World Choral Summit held in Beijing in July, hosted by the World Federation for Choral Music.
While in Guangzhou they performed at a reception hosted by the Australian Consulate, gave a concert at the
magnificent Guangzhou Opera House, appeared on children’s television with a local choir and shared a performance
with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City. In Beijing they were the featured performers at an official dinner
celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and Australia. Their subsequent performance at the
Opening Ceremony of the World Choral Summit drew a tremendous response from the audience. Also at the Summit
they received an ovation for their concert in the Concert Hall of the China Conservatory and drew a very enthusiastic
response to a three-hour workshop for local choral directors and educators. Imagine five hundred participants singing
and dancing along with the choir!
Australia’s Ambassador to China, Frances Adamson, wrote: “Gondwana Voices’ participation in the gala dinner was
the highlight of the evening. Apart from showcasing the skill of the choir and the breadth and depth of contemporary
Australian culture, the recital was quite simply a stunning and remarkable performance”.
14
anwen’s
story
to continue to develop
our unique Australian
repertoire of choral
works and to encourage
choristers to participate
in composition and
the creation of
new works
I first attended Gondwana National Choral School in
2007, and during my years as a chorister of Gondwana
Choirs I have been privileged to have performed in world events
(such as the Papal Arrival for World Youth Day in 2008 and the Opening
Ceremony of the World Choral Summit in China last year). I have had the chance to
creatively collaborate with such musicians as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir
Ashkenazy, The Cat Empire and many others on various projects.
Singing gives me an enormous sense of pleasure and accomplishment; to share with others a beautiful piece or an
arrangement new to the ear is very gratifying. Singing has taught me the importance of patience and practice.
Without Gondwana in my life, I would certainly not have the confidence and creativeness that I do today; as a
Gondwana chorister, I have been exposed to the workings of the music and arts industry. And most importantly, I
have been able to overcome homesickness, stage-fright and general anxiety which has made me a happier person.
Gondwana National Choirs has given me more than just a collection of memories of stunning music and
heart-warming performances; Gondwana Choirs has given me a second family, knowledge and experience to aid
me in my future and a sense of joy and happiness that will last me a lifetime.
Anwen Towne, Gondwana Voices
15
scc
highlights
Sydney Children’s Choir®
In 2012 we had 380 choristers, forming 17 magnificent choirs, including our new young men’s
choir, The Key Changers Boys’ Choir, conducted by Stephen Leek.
We were particularly honoured to perform at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency Prof. Marie Bashir AC CVO
for the launch of our Innovations Patrons program (more on page 37). Choristers also performed at the Opera House in
the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s productions of Lord of the Rings: Two Towers and Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades,
with Katie Noonan on Channel 7, at the re-opening of the Park Hyatt Hotel, the NRL Grand Final and TEDx, and recorded
for the Australian film Mental (featuring Toni Collette).
A highlight was our wonderful Heritage in Song concert featuring commissioned works by Australian composers
Stephen Leek and Dan Walker, inspired by the books of Jeannie Baker and histories of our own choristers. In their
weekly classes, our choirs rehearsed numerous Australian compositions and worked hard to improve their music theory
and sight-singing skills.
In 2012 the Sydney Children’s Choir joined forces with the Conservatorium High School to create a Junior Vocal Stream
program. This program allows students whose primary instrument is voice to be admitted to the high school for the first
time in its 90 year history. In its inaugural year there were eight students enrolled.
Choristers celebrated the festive season with performances at the City of Sydney’s Carols in Martin Place, The Queen’s
Club Christmas Dinners and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ An English Christmas. Our own end of year celebrations
included Mice & Mozart (performed by our youngest choristers - Mini-Singers) and two evening concerts - Voices of
Angels - at City Recital Hall Angel Place. A live broadcast of this concert, featuring Sally Whitwell, aired on ABC Classic FM.
16
This major artistic project took place on one special night on September 16, transforming City Recital
Hall Angel Place into a dynamic and very personal history book, exploring and celebrating the diversity
of our choristers and the cultural history of Sydney. Composers Stephen Leek and Dan Walker
collaborated with SCC choristers, other young students, professional artists and writers to create this
unique performance experience.
17
owen’s
story
Seven years ago, Mum took me to my first “Mini-Singers” session at the tender age of six. I
quickly found the café, learned not to fall in the water and avoid the cars, made new friends and
eventually progressed through the choirs until I arrived at Leek. Out of the blue a call came
inviting me to sing Orff’s Carmina Burana at the Sydney Opera House with the Senior Choir. I had
the time of my life and was hooked.
Not long after, I was invited to join the Senior Choir. During the first rehearsal, I was mesmerised by the sound the choir
produced for Lyn. This was music of a completely different dimension. It was rich and intriguing. The choristers were
friendly, engaged and the repertoire was challenging.
Singing the Magnificat by Nicola Porpora for the Governor of NSW and her guests at Government House for the launch
of the Innovations Patrons program last year, is a memory that continues to burn bright. It was spellbinding. But the
most memorable performance over the past 7 years has been the 21st Birthday Celebration in 2010 at the Sydney
Opera House. The sound of the massed choir, the goodwill of all the choristers and the enthusiasm of the audience
united us all. The mood was lifted further by Lyn’s anecdotes and the raucous laughter that followed each story.
It is the people of the choir that are important to me. Each of the conductors and accompanists bring the music to life.
They are generous, talented and refuse to settle for anything less than our best. As I was growing up, I loved the cards
that would arrive unexpectedly on my birthday or after a performance. I have always appreciated being able to chat to
the volunteers and the administration staff, who together with the choristers have become my second family.
Singing is my special thing. It is an amazing gift that allows me to express both an outpouring of grief or share an
abundance of happiness. As I take my place in the choir, these emotions are magnified, and I have an opportunity to
channel my feelings, pouring them into the music to suspend time.
The joy of performing with the Sydney Children’s Choir to an
appreciative audience with our conductors and accompanists is
the greatest feeling on earth. A spell is cast and lingers until
the last note hangs in the air, broken only by the mobile
phone that rings. Unfortunately, I realise, in her haste
to settle into the seat for the start of the concert, it’s
my mother who has forgotten to turn off her
phone!
to ensure that
young people have
the opportunity to fulfil
their musical potential by
offering them the highest level of
training and a chance to collaborate
with their talented peers from
across Australia and the world
Owen Macnamara,
Senior Choir
18
Throughout 2012, SCC Artistic staff Dan Walker and Sam Allchurch conducted fortnightly choir
rehearsals at Auburn, Auburn North, Auburn West and Hampden Park Public Schools,
fostering a culture of choral singing. We commissioned Dan Walker to compose a choral work
based on Jeannie Baker’s book, Mirror, whose message of enduring and significant
cross-cultural similarities provided the inspiration for the project.
In March, SCC held a Harmony Day Workshop bringing together all of the participating students from the four
schools and members of SCC’s Kats-Chernin and Leek choirs. The children participated in combined singing
rehearsals as well as in drama, dance and composition workshops. This day provided an excellent kick-start to the
project and from the composition workshops, Dan Walker fashioned the children’s ideas into a new choral work,
The Arrival.
On Monday 3rd September, SCC and Auburn choristers came together for the Mirror Community Concert at Riverside
Theatres, Parramatta. The Auburn school choirs performed a selection of repertoire as one combined choir, with the
program completed by the combined SCC choir. The focus of the concert was the world premiere of Dan Walker‘s
Mirror, sung by the combined school and SCC choir, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble and images from
Baker’s book, projected onto a large screen and produced by Technical Director, Andrew Walsh AM. Selected
Auburn choristers were invited to join their SCC peers to perform Mirror at our Heritage in Song concert.
The Mirror Project would not have been possible without the support and generosity of Walker Books and Managing
Director & Publisher Sarah Foster.
the mirror
project
19
in their ownwords
“It is a great opportunity for students like me to get to sing
with the Sydney Children’s Choir and just have fun.” Auburn chorister
“The Mirror book told us that no one is different, they are all the same even if they are from
another religion.” Auburn chorister
“I absolutely love what happened tonight. I think it was amazing to bring together these
professional young singers who will one day be on the world’s stage. And to have such a famous
conductor and pianist and musicians, kids working at that and having the opportunity to be on stage
is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.” Auburn chorister parent
“Mirror has been a very important book in our area because of the joint Arabic and Australian
connections… This collaboration is having a big effect on their social skills, their teamwork, and
above all their music skills. There has been a real sense of importance and achievement and our
students are very proud. They sang some of the folk songs at school presentation day and two
students from our audience were reduced to tears; one said ‘I loved the music; it was so
beautiful I couldn’t help crying’. Another, also in tears, said that the music reminded him of
songs his grandfather used to sing. Another student on the Autism Spectrum was fixated and
said ‘the music was beautiful’ and patted his heart to emphasise his feeling.
I have truly never seen a response like this from our students before.”
Chris Hopkins, Deputy Principal, Hampden Park Public School
“Our students have never been so excited and engaged with a project…It's wonderful, as a
teacher, to watch them all integrating with each other, engaged,
and enjoying every moment.”
Althea Lavulavu, Auburn North Public School
to provide a
happy and a safe
environment in which
young people are
proud to
learn,
perform,
compose, be inspired,
socialise and flourish
“I felt privileged to be passing on to these
young choristers a little of what Lyn Williams
unlocked in me several years ago when I
was an SCC chorister. Singing enables
young people to express themselves in
a deeply physical and emotional way.
And whilst it’s important to
recognize the wider cognitive
benefits of choral singing, it’s just as
essential to value it for its own merit
– one of the many positive
achievements of the Mirror project.”
Sam Allchurch,
Mirror Project Conductor,
SCC Alumnus
20
gnicc
highlights
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir
This program has grown organically and exponentially since its inception in 2008, and continues to
develop. In 2012 the program encompassed workshops, camps, performance opportunities and
regular rehearsals at our Cairns choral hub.
In May, GNICC Founder and Artistic Director Lyn Williams, GNICC Manager Erica Byrne and Artistic Operations Manager
John Nolan undertook a reconnaissance trip around the Kimberley region, holding meetings with various elders,
community leaders, community members and arts professionals. This tour was a significant step in planning our future
activities in WA; in particular the development of a new children’s opera. It was critical to meet with the local people
to ensure that we develop our programs with an understanding of the local culture and its unique sensitivities.
Our GNICC team had a busy year of camps and workshops; beginning in March with a visit to the Torres Strait Islands
(Horn, Thursday, Boigu, Badu and Poruma) - over 30 choristers participated, led by Lyn and GNICC mentor and
choreographer Sani Townson.
In April, we held a NSW North Coast Camp with 24 young people from the Nambucca, Macksville and Bowraville
region, following on from workshops held in November 2011. The choristers learnt songs and dance with Sani
Townson, conductor/composer Dan Walker and pianist Luke Byrne and enjoyed a language session with Aunty
Maxine Jarrett from the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Centre, helping to create a piece of music called
Land Sleeps, Ocean Rests, which Aunty Maxine translated into Gumbaynggirr language. Camp ended with a
presentation for parents, friends and family, including the performance of a piece called Gamiis place with the local
Elders Choir.
In July we visited Katherine, Jilkminggan and Darwin in the NT, involving 98 new participants at schools workshops
and 16 identified on previous visits, who took part in weekend intensives featuring a dance workshop with Larrakia
man, dancer and choreographer, Gary Lang. We revisited the region in December for a Camp with 33 of these
choristers.
In September we had 146 new participants at our Western Sydney Schools workshops held at Alexandria Park
Community, Glebe Public and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Schools (Inner West) and Claymore Public and John Warby
Schools (South West).
In October our Singfest! National Season involved a week of rehearsals, singing and movement workshops,
culminating in a performance at Cairns cathedral featuring 35 GNICC choristers from interstate and 30 from Cairns.
We also visited schools in Melbourne and Shepparton for workshops with 182 new participants.
In November, 27 choristers attended our Sydney Regional Intensives - weekend workshops held at the National
Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), led by conductor Dan Walker and composer Michael Atherton, who
introduced the students to various instruments from across the world, including showing them how to play a
harmonic whirly as a didjeridu culminating in a presentation with a fantastic audience of around 50 family members!
GNICC community workshops and camps are a
wonderful way to awaken interest and
enthusiasm about music and choral singing,
but our experience shows that the greatest
benefits of choral singing can only be attained
through regular, sustained music education.
21
In Cairns, where we established the Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir (GCICC) ‘choral hub’ in 2011 - providing
fortnightly classes to approximately 45 young local choristers and a variety of artistic and professional development
opportunities for local musicians, administrators and educators - our choristers have shown a marked improvement in
their sight-singing, music theory & musicality, as well as self-esteem, leadership ability and academic performance.
The CGICC has been so successful that it is now the basis for the development of our Gondwana National Indigenous
Children's Choir program - in 2013 we are expanding the program by offering our Cairns choristers weekly, rather than
fortnightly classes, and establishing a new choral hub in South-Western Sydney.
Our Cairns choristers have made great progress, with several choristers auditioning and being
selected to take part in our flagship national choir, Gondwana Voices, in 2013, representing
Australia on the world stage. This individual capacity-building is beneficial to the wider
community, with choristers' siblings, peers and families taking pride in their success; and the
Choir providing a positive role model for Indigenous people in the Cairns region.
In May, 39 of our Cairns-based choristers performed at the 2012 Minerals Week parliamentary dinner in Canberra, for
the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, international diplomats and leading business people. The choir performed songs
including Li-Anthawirriyarra (by Shellie Morris with Yanuwa women), Ngai bu-bu ya (by Dennis Newie) and Kaiape and
Sesereye (traditional Torres Strait Island songs and dances).
These, and other, GNICC choristers performed to great acclaim at the Cairns NAIDOC Week dinner, Innisfail Family Day,
Singfest!, in Sydney at Qantas’ Welcome Home to the Olympic Athletes, the launch of NCIE’s Community of Excellence
and the annual Business Council of Australia dinner, in front of the Prime Minister, business leaders and other dignitaries.
The GNICC program is going from strength to strength and we are planning further significant
investment in Indigenous communities across Australia over the coming years in the form of
two new choral hubs (Sydney and Darwin) and the development of two new children’s operas
based on Indigenous stories, song, dance and visual art (in Sydney and East Kimberley).
The program is provided at no cost to participating children or their families.
Rio Tinto Australia’s Managing Director David Peever and Prime Minister Julia Gillard pictured with choristers
from Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir at the Business Council of Australia annual dinner
in Sydney, November 2012. Photo: Irene Dowdy
22
to ensure that any
suitably talented young
person has the opportunity
to participate in our programs
without financial, social,
physical or distance
barriers.
chorister
story
Tionne, Nia and Marnee Seden are
three sisters who are members of
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s
Choir and Cairns Gondwana Indigenous
Children’s Choir who have taken time to tell us
their story for our Annual Report.
Singing is one of our greatest and most loved passions. It is one thing
that brings us closer together, and to be a part of this unique choir has
increased our love for singing even more.
The three of us have been members of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir (GNICC) for the past four
years, and also the newly formed Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir (CGICC).
It all began in 2009 when we heard that Gondwana Choirs were having auditions in the Cairns area, so our parents
and music teacher encouraged us to try out. We were a bit nervous when we first auditioned, but as soon as we
were selected we were so thrilled and excited!! Since then it’s just been such an amazing experience with
incredible opportunities to travel nationally and internationally and perform at many different functions/events
and to work with professional musicians and composers.
The most memorable events of 2012 were our trips to Canberra and Sydney to perform for the Prime Minister and
other dignitaries at the Business Council dinners and welcoming home the Australian Olympic Team.
In the fortnightly rehearsals in Cairns we learnt new songs, improved our sight-singing enormously and were also
able to spend time with our friends, sharing our culture and passion through music and singing. There have been
some great songs that we have learned in 2012 and a popular song amongst the choristers was a piece by Lou
Bennett called “Just One World”, which we performed at Singfest! in front of a packed audience in St Monica’s
Cathedral in Cairns.
Being a member of GNICC & CGICC has made us feel proud to be a part of Gondwana Choirs, and proud to be
Indigenous Australians.
Tionne, Nia and Marnee Seden,
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir
and Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir
23
our
people
Photo: Angus Wilkinson
24
the choristers
Thanks for the enthusiasm and joy you bring to every rehearsal and performance…
Sydney Children’s Choir
Madeline Aarons
Harrison Adamse
Mia-Louise Adcock
Jacob Agoo
Vaani Ahluwalia
Josephine Alexander
Sophie Allen
Jessica Allsop
Hugh Anderson
Rhiona-Jade Armont
Jared Atherton
Neil Baker
Izabella Baker-Brown
Guian Balan
Chun Di Bartley
Bridie Batterham-Murphy
Lara Bellini
Toshiki Bennett
Henry Blackwell
Lucy Blomfield
Schuyler Boe
Christian Bogan
Holly Boland
Tjanara Bolt
Ariel Bonnell
Emmeline Booth
Oscar Boswell
Holly Boswell
Elizabeth Bourikov
Annabel Boyatzis
Paul Boyatzis
Lola Bretag
Ruby Rose Bron
Joel Brookes
Amelia Brown
Alex Bruce
Chris Bruce
Lucca Buonamano
Chrissy Burjan
Mia Burjan
Keala Burns
Tom Burton
Amir Butler
Maddison Calcott
Alison Campbell
Alexander Cardakaris
Grace Carey
Julian Carroll
Emelia Cawthorn
Claudia Chan
Oriana Chan
Otto Chaplin
Jacob Chau
Grace Chen
Justin Chen
Edward Chesterman
Jeremy Cheung
Angelina Cheung
25
Ihnteck Chung
Honey Christensen
Matthew Clark
Gracia Clifford
Nina Cockerill
Leona Cohen
Emily Colvin
Isla Cron
Chloe Cullen
Inez Curro
Olivia Davies
Isaac Davis
Marta Davis
Katya Davy
Stella Davy
Annika Deitz
Jasmine Delaney
Gabriel Dillon
Michael Donohue
Anna Douglas
Noa Doyle
Hanan Doyle
Benoy Drenzla
Matthew Drew
Oscar Drew
Timothy Dutton
Marianna Ebersoll
Dashel Eck
Lucinda Edwards
Cecilia Elliott
Matilda Elliott
Samuel El-Rahi
Lily Evans
Julia Fallon
Loren Fanale
Jonathan Fawzi
Orion Foulds
Simona Francis
Ella Friend
John Giuliano
Daniel Glasson
Frankie Glover
Gemma Golding
Oliver Golding
Alex Gorbatov
Samuel Gorbatov
Liam Green
Talia Greenfield
Indianna Gregg
Madison Gribble
Maddy Grigoletti-Labi
Dominic Grimshaw
Ella Hackman
Carys Hakin
Annelise Hall
Benjamin Hamilton
Isabel Hanna
Maiee Hanna
Ella Hannigan
Beth Harper-King
Eleanor Harris
Lilian Harris
Chloe Hart
Georgianna Hawkins
Jade He
Lisa Hendriks-Movig
Ezra Hersch
Amelia Hervir
Julian Hervir
Reg Hewitt
Fabian Heyde
Sophia Heyde
Aaron Heydon
Joseph Hidajat
Rebecca Hilliard
Abel Hofflin
Victoria Hofflin
Thomas Hogan
Bethany Hopkins
Niamh Hosty-Snelgrove
Kittu Hoyne
Sabrina Huang
Lydia Hume
Robbie Hunt
Miranda Ilchef
Peter Ilchef
Nass Irwin
Lilah Isherwood
Patsy Islam-Parsons
Tovia Jakovsky-Coleman
Thomas Jiang
George Johnson
Rebecca Johnson
Madeline Johnston
Eleanor Jones
Samuel Jones
Bill Jordan
Inouee Jousselin
Ellery Joyce
Sophia Kalo
Maeve Kelahe
Jonathon Kelley
Vincent Kerin
Helena Kertesz
Sukhleen Khanna
Liam Kim
Oscar Kirk
Maisie Knight
Emma Korell
Eleanor Kozak
Alejandro Krakowszky
Zoe Krakowszky
Ella Kratzer
Lily Kratzer
Hannah Kroeger
Ryan Kumulia
Lauren Kwong
Eleanor Labi
Charlie Lackenby
Aurora Laing
Iona Laird-Smith
Natalija Lambert
Lulu Lamont
Reuben Langbein
Seini-Elisa Leauanae
Isaac Lee
Sarah-Jane Lee
Kaitlyn Lee
Tabitha Lee
Emanuela Leung
Francesca Lewis
Daniel Lin
Jiayi Liu
Marley Liyanagama
Charlie Loader
Claudia Loader
Eloise Loewy
Amity Lorenz
Jemima Lorenz
Jackson Low
Lilian Lowe
Tara Lowings
Genevieve Lumb
Bianca Lyakurwa
Jock MacCallum
Sienna MacCallum
Stephanie Macindoe
Aeden MacNamara
Owen MacNamara
Alwyn Maddox
Cecilia Maddox
Ethan Malcolm
Neve Malcolm
Tanvi Maroo
Anna Marsh
Juliet Marshall
Chad Martin
Lex Martin
Noah Martin-Fernandez
Joshua Massey
Lachlan Massey
Preethika Mathan
Hunter Mather
Mia Mather
Dominik Mautner
Isabella May
Nadia May
Charlie McCluney
Ella McCutcheon
Eve McEwen
Christine McKenzie
Lucy McKern
Priya Mehra
Annabelle Mentzines
Alessio Meroi
Kiara Mezzina
Jazz Rose Mierisch
Lauren Miles
Anna Millward
Stella Milton
Milla Molloy
Lucinda Morgan
Carly Morrison
Eloise Morrison
Genevieve Morrison
Jatayu Mudana
Angus Mullen
Lily Mullen
Dominic Nakhoul
Jasmin Nakhoul
Rachelle Nakhoul
Grace Nicholson-Perry
Jemimah O'Brien
Hester O'Donnell
Rebecca O'Hanlon
Annabelle O'Reilly
Rafi Owen
Remi Owen
Tesni Paewai
Sofia Palleschi
Christopher Paoloni
Lauren Patterson
Sam Pavely
Gabriel Peyrachon
Daniel Picard
Madeleine Picard
Theo Picard
Emily Pincock
Sebastian Pini
Oliver Pitman
Bianca Pole
Harper Pollard
Polina Polyakova
Beth Pooley
Florence Poon
Gabi Powell-Thomas
Gretel Power
Kera Pulman
Richard Quisumbing
Alexandra Raleigh
Elise Rawlinson
Liam Rawlinson
Joshua Reimer
Sofie Rejto
Matthew Ren
Emma Renaud
Jessa Renshaw
Ariana Ricci
Sophie Richard
Sian Richards
Olivia Rider
Orlando Roeder
Gondwana National Choirs
Lara Rogerson-Wood
Poppy Rohanna
Kiyan Rowshan
Anna Ryan
Caitlin Ryan
Bella Blu Salier
Timothy Sampson
Juan Sausa
George Scarf
Ruby Scott-Wishart
Marilyn Seepter
Samantha Seymour
Mina Shapiro
Mackenzie Shaw
Claire Shearman
Kriti Shrivastava
Marie Sikiotis
Christopher Sirimat
Amelia Smiles
Callan Smith
Ren Spina
Julia Spiteri
Tristan Spiteri
Imogen Stacy
Elke Stampfl
Chloe Starling
Isabel Steele
Claire Stephens
Naomi Stephens
Isabella Suckling
Elsa Susnjara
Mathias Taranec
Asher Tarbox
Eva Tarbox
Leo Tarbox
Zoe Taylor
Jill Termaat
Seamus Theron
James Thomson
Rosie Thomson
Jedda Thorley
Samara Thorpe
Connie Ting
Piet Tombs
Benjamin Torban
Nicholas Tracey-Sumners
Adam Travis
Ted Treseder
Thomas Treuer
Jake Trevelyan
Jessica Trevelyan
Sasha Trevelyan
Beatrice Tucker
Vanilla Tupu
Nairie Tzakos
Mieke van Wel
Imogine Vickers
James Walker
Nicholas Walker
Chantal Walther
James Wang
Edie Warne
Tom Warne
Julia Waugh
Maya Weaver
Olivia Wei
Sebastian Wei
Jacqui Wesiak
Imogen Williams
Indiana Williams
Selina Williamson
Chelsea Wilson
Isabella Wilson
Juliet Wittenoom-Louw
Lotti Wonhas
Sylvie Woodhouse
Jason Wu
Samantha Wy
Darren Yan
Selina Yang
Ella Yasumoto
Yilan Yu
Natalie Yung
Anastasia Zaika
Nikita Zaika
Jack Zheng
Kevin Zhu
Kylie Zhu
Leo Zhu
Lawrence Zhuang
Anastassia Zubkora
Jayden Aay
Rinalda Aay
Yolanda Aay
Emily Ampt
Evangeline Anderson
Rhiona-Jade Armont
Bianca Bacchiella
Kyomi Bailey
Patrick Baker
Georgia Balchin
Olivia Bandler-Llewellyn
Jack Begbie
April Bell
Jasper Bell
Elyena Belonogoff
Daniel Bertolini
Emilia Bertolini
Shoshana Blackman
Zara Blackmore
Virginia Blackwell
Emma Borgas
Erin Bourne
Lucy Boyd
Martha Boyd
Wilson Boyd
Jack Boylan-Ascione
Kate Boylan-Ascione
Joeli Brennan
Georgina Brooks
Zoe Brown
Alexander Bruce
Christopher Bruce
Jonathan Bruhl
Oliver Bruhl
Edward Bryant
Alice Buckmaster
Tom Buckmaster
Anita Burkart
Claire Burrell-McDonald
Amelia Bush
Samuel Caddy
Annabel Cameron
Jessie-Claire Campbell
Florence Cappler-Shillington
Patrick Carter
Quinn Carter
Daniel Casey
Emma Casey
Elicia Casey Winter
Mitchel Cave
Alice Chance
Annie Chessells
Matthew Clark
Elizabeth Clarke
Phoebe Clarke
Catherine Clarnette
Nicholas Clarnette
Stephanie Clarnette
Courtney Coates
Leona Cohen
Meta Cohen
Isabel Colman
Madeleine Cowell
Nicholas Coxhill
Victoria Coxhill
Sophie Craddock
Daniel Darveniza
Anna Della Marta
Daniel Dempster
Hannah Dempster
Georgina Dixson
Ruby Dixon
Emma Dutton
Matilda Elliott
Isabella Emanuel
Jonathan Fawzi
Lara Fenna
Helena Forde
Oliver Freyne
Jo-Hannah Gardiner
Karl Geiger
Emily Gelineau
Josephine Gibson
Cameron Gill
Michael Gill
Eliza Goakes
Max Graham
Toby Graham
Jocelyn Green
Ellen Greening
Candice Grey
Hannah Griffiths
Hannah Grigg
Kate Hamill
Kenny Hoyu Han
Stella Hannock
Beth Harper-King
Georgia Harrington
Joanna Haslewood
Zoe Heath
Oliver Hendriks
Chris Heng-Yi
Lexie-Taylah Hennessy
Victoria Hodgkinson
Molly Hoffman
Lauren Holdstock
Kate Holley
Trinity Hoolihan
Emma Huntingford
Kate Huntingford
Kate Hutchinson
Alex Jasprizza
Benjamin Jobson
Rebecca Johnson
Anne Jovanoski
Perry Joyce
Lana Kains
Nicholas Kains
Abhimanyu Kapoor
Sevasti Karavas
Campbell Kelly
Adrian Kenny
Clare Kenny
Helena Kertesz
Iesha Kingston-Bull
Trent Kinnersly
Elysia Korn
Adele Kozak
Eleanor Kozak
Maddison Brooke Lamb
Kristina Lang
Emily Laughlin Jones
Tilly Lawson
Ben Lee
Tabitha Lee
Grace Leonard
Yue Liang
Marley Liyanagama
Eleanor Logan
Heni Longmuir
Jemima Lorenz
Sebastian Lush
Claudia Mackay
Caitlin Macklon
Owen MacNamara
Britney Maddochs
Claudia Marcus
Juliet Marshall
Chad Martin
Atalya Masi
Lachlan Massey
Josiah McAllan
Abbey McDonald
Olivia McDonald
Jade McFaul
Rachel McMahon
Myles McQuillan
Thomas McQuillan
Sarah McQuinn
Phillipa McQuinn
Isabelle Mellor
Cecilia Millar-Rakisits
Mia Miller
Nyssa Milligan
Veronica Milroy
John Morgan
Ian Moriarty
Anita Moser
Megan Murray
Miranda Murray-Yong
Coen Nicholls
Laura Nicholls
Dale Norris
Eloise O'Brien
Kate O'Donohue
Rebecca O'Hanlon
Liane Papantoniou
Molly Parker
Olivia Peck
Fred Perrottet
Sophie Perrottet
Deepika Phadke
Harry Phillips
Madeleine Picard
Laura Pitts
Hannah Price
Nicholas Prior
Stella Quast
Abigail Radford
Allegra Randazzo
Christopher Retter
Corina Retter
Nicholas Retter
Amy Richardson
Annabelle Robinson
Ben Robinson
Lindy Roos
Rita-Mae Ross
Victoria Roy
Cecilija Rubenis
Nina Samson
26
Pele Savage
Tamasin Schmiga
Conor Schull
Oliver Scott-Morey
Keegan Li Sehl
Georgina Sellars
Cassidy Shelton
Melanie Sheppard
Alexandria Siegers
Matthew Simich
Maggie Simms
Chloe Sinclair
Daniel Smerdon
Charlotte Snedden
Freya Solnordal
Tristan Spiteri
Alec Steedman
Zanna Stevenson
Torsten Strokirch
Gabrielle Studdy
Jerome Studdy
Christina Syrkeiwicz
Maxwell Tait
Harrison Taranec
Zoe Taylor
James Thomson
Billie-Sue Thorne
Corbin Thorne
Elle Tomita
Anwen Towne
Nicholas Tracy-Sumners
Beatrice Tucker
Alex Turley
Madi Vanzella
Daniel Verschuer
Elizabeth Waldron
Meredith Waldron
Miriam Waldron
Tess Waller
Kathleen Walton-Roy
Freya Watson
Lia Weitzel
Martinique Lee West
Tim Whittle
Angus Wilkinson
Lauren Williams
Oliver Williams
Luther Wilson
Sarah Winnel
Hannah Witenden
Juliet Wittenoom Louw
Samantha Wolf
Enrica Wong
Angus William Woods
Sylvia Wright
Kezia Yap
Sanjay Yapabandara
Daniel Yasar
Elizabeth Younan
Fiona Young
Poppy Zanderigo
Bailey Zaro
Larissa Zeil-Rolfe
27
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir
Sian Adidi
Jessica Andrews
Syrenne Anu
Tyus Arndt
Kiara Atkinson
Naomi Atkinson
Kiah Atkinson
Chenelle Bading
Pierotta Bagiri
Keyarna Baker
William Baker
Kayla Baker
Wylleon Baker
Nykita Bartlett
Olivia Bateman
Destiny Batman-Peris
Desiree Bingarape
Sade Bingarape-Minniecon
Shonelle Blair
Kiarna Blair
Reba Blaire
Dylan William Blanch
Maylein Bob
Tjanara Bolt
Ricky Bower
Dylan Brown
Jamie Bryant
Tamika Burgess
Shaniqua Bysouth
Gemma Cadd
Shalayne Calma Reid
Nikkaya Cameron
Leshiah Carter
Bianca Ceissman
Chenile Chandler
Leashya Chapman
Dakota Charez
Alana Charles
Montenna Chong
Rebecca Clark
Liam Clews
Codi Coggan Rowsell
Kiarra Cohen
Kiesha Cohen
Lolinda Collins
Daniel Comnino
Emma Comnino
Tiffany Coolwell
Zane Court
Alana Courtney
Elizabeth Cox
Chatesha Craig
Shayla Crowe
Adinah Dantoine
Maleeke Darcy
Taleigha Dargin
Thelma Dauvunau
Abung David
Kiara Dempsey
Trinity Dixon
James Donovan
Jenetta Dorante-Lyons
Yierah Dunn
Brianna Durante
Claire Eaton
Justin Edgell
Jack Edwards
Antoinette Edwards
Charlotte Edwige
Angie-May Ellis
Adrianna Ellis
Martikka Ellis Hunter
Tianna Farrar
Maykooth Farrawell
Bandala Farrawell
Cassie Ferris
Tayla Fitzgerald
Lisha Fitzpatrick
Shania Forster
Kobi Foster
Pearl Foster
Alana Frazer
Makaela French
Era Galusa King
Aaliyah Gela
Mataika Paul William Gerrie
Tayla Gibbs
Maudie Gilbert
Syrana Glenn
Kyleigh Go-Sam
Lakesha Grant
Zoe Grant
Breanna Greenup
Mya Gregory
Tiarna Hansen
Dajiah Hart
Tayla Hart- Aluni
Wayne Heritage
Ruby Herrman
Tiesha Hewitt
Zane Howell- Saunders
Alicia Ikonomou
Nicola Ingram
Ernest Issac
Zhane' James
Zipporah James
Khan Jarrett
Lanita Jarrett
Marindi Jarrett
Shreeka Jarrett
Talitha Jarrett
Jyekiah Joachim
Liam John
Shaneea John
Naekeyla Johns
Teagan Johnson
George Johnson
Lauren Jones
Shkita Jones
Chloe Jones
Emma Kellaway
Melissa Kelly
Farina Kirk
Sheree Kopp
Steven Lampton
Isabella Large
Yirgjhilya Lawrie
Lia Liversidge-Rosas
Rita Mae-Ross
Gabrielle Mairu
Hannah Majid
Latresha Maka
Laura Mara
Lauren Marks
Lucy Marks
Madison Martin
Diaz Martyn
Dylan McBeon
Chloe McDonald
Dana McDonald
Haylee McLean
Salu Messa
Josephine Miller
Lara Miller
Sario Mills
Isaiah Mitchell
Saphron Mitchell
Teisja Mitchell
Cody Mohamed
Kadisha Morgan
Shammah Mosby
Melora Mosby
Patricia Muir
Nathan Mumbin-Jack
Susanne Munkara
Kaylah Naden
Logan Ned
Mikayla Nelson
Coen Nicholls
Konio Norris
Rebecca Norton
Glendel Nuggin
Ryan O'Callaghan
Cheyenne Ougham
Sunair Oui
Kyanna Parker
Julana Pearson
Dakota Peeters
Nellie Peperill
Rose Peris
Misha Perry
Latae Philipps Roberts
Stella Phillips
Darcy Pierce
Kayley Riley
Tylah Robinson
Jaimaya Rosser
Joyce Samai
Pele Savage
Marnee Seden
Nia Seden
Tionne Seden
Taylor Sheppard
Layla Smith
Kiara Smith
Jared Smith
Shonae Staples
Jena Stephen
Kaysee Stewart
Halejah Storey
Christina Sultan
Taliesha Sutherland-Robinson
Adam Takai
Sadita Tamwoy
Kobe Taylor
Kaitlin Thorpe
Shenneal Toombs
Taeg Twist
Briana Valodze
Tamika Varney
Tahlia Voss
Taliah Waaka
Louise Walker
Casey Wandin-Collins
Kayla Wandin-Collins
Lara Wandin-Collins
Anson Ware
Tyra Ware
Gabriel Wasaga
Josh Wasaga
Tegan Weldon
Waje Wend
Martinique West
Breeanna West
Tanisha Williams
Brittany Williams
Dylan Williams
Madison Williams
Shana Williamson-Poh
Hayley Wilson
Kyiah Wilson
Lily Wilson
Saje Wilson
Aleirah Woodley
Homere Wosomo
Tavina Yettica Paulson
Georgia Youse
Bailey Zaro
conductor interns
At the 2012 National Choral School four aspiring conductors had the opportunity to work with some of Australia’s
finest choral conductors. The Conductor Interns have observed rehearsals, conducted sectionals and taken part in
discussions and classes. All four conductors were aged between 18 and 25.
The 2012 Conductor Interns were: Emma Borgas, Madeleine Cowell, Karl Geiger and Perry Joyce.
composer school
This year, National Choral School hosted the second Gondwana Composer School. Sixteen young composers worked
intensively with Australian composer Stephen Leek to develop their composing skills through guided composition
exercises and workshops. The 2012 Composer School participants were: Patrick Baker
Stella Quast
Ben Robinson
Erin Bourne
Alex Turley
Georgina Brooks
Elicia Casey Winter Kathleen Walton-Roy
Samantha Wolf
Alice Chance
Enrica Wong
Hannah Grigg
Kezia Yap
Kate Hamill
Elizabeth Younan
Campbell Kelly
28
looking
ahead
with our new General Manager, Karynne Courts
What a privilege to have joined the Gondwana Choirs team at such an exciting time in early
2013. It is refreshing to be in a working environment where a passion for high-quality music
is combined with the values of professionalism, creativity, accessibility, excellence and
community. For me it makes work-life meaningful and fulfilling.
In 2013 - 2015, Gondwana’s choirs will continue to tour internationally. Gondwana Chorale and SCC Senior Choir will tour
the UK and Europe in 2013, with televised performances in Wales and performances at the Polyfollia choral festival.
There are plans for music recordings, major concert appearances and collaborations with some of Australia’s finest
professional ensembles. We shall continue to perform our annual Voices of Angels concert and have commissioned
composers for two new Indigenous children’s choral operas to be developed with local communities – a desert story
from the East Kimberley and an urban story from South-West Sydney – to form a trilogy with Ngailu - Boy of the Stars.
Gondwana Choirs will continue to provide training, professional development and performance opportunities for young
and emerging conductors and composers, through both the new Gondwana National Conducting Academy (in
association with the University of Queensland) and the Gondwana National Composer School. Such opportunities will
also be available for music educators in the communities where we work – particularly through the SCC’s Outreach
program.
From 2013 onwards we will focus on increasing the participation in our high quality programs of talented young people
who may not otherwise have such opportunities. This involves a strategic expansion of GNICC activities, based on the
model we successfully established in Cairns [QLD] in 2011, beginning with the development of a new ‘choral hub’ in
South Western Sydney in 2013. Following the success of the Mirror Project in 2012, we will continue Outreach programs
to reach these children.
As we prepare to celebrate our 25th birthday in 2014, we acknowledge the many people who have contributed to the
creation of unique experiences for talented young musicians. It is critical to develop diversified revenue streams to
sustain the organisation’s continuing growth and build on our reputation as an organisation that is nationally loved and
internationally respected. We have set some ambitious goals for our fundraising, development and brand awareness to
support the growth of our programs and I am sure that the expertise of our team will enable these to be realised.
We look forward to continuing to lead the way in choral music excellence in 2013 and beyond and it is an honour to be
part of an inspired and dedicated team.
29
our staff
The passion doesn’t stop at the rehearsal room or the
stage door, we thank all those staff who worked in the
office with us in 2012.
Clare Ainsworth, Philanthropy Manager* (on maternity leave)
Sam Allchurch, Artistic Administration Assistant
Ashley America, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Assistant
Olivia Bandler-Llewellyn, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Assistant
Emma Barnett, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Coordinator*
Philip Barton, Administration Assistant
Larry Boyd, Project Manager, Mirror Project
Anita Burkart, Sydney Children’s Choir, North Shore Operations Assistant
Erica Byrne, Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir Manager*
Vanessa Chan, Gondwana National Choirs Manager*
Aaron Curran, General Manager (Interim)
Carla Deplancke, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Assistant
Jennifer Drysdale, Philanthropy Manager*
Joshua Forward, Administration Assistant
Rachel Gardoll, Accounts Administrator*
Rachel Hadfield, Financial Controller*
Rob Hansen, Artistic Administration Assistant*
Allison Harrigan, Sydney Children’s Choir, Choral Education Director
Merryn Hughes, National Choral School, Project Manager
Clare Kenny, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Coordinator and
Sydney Children’s Choir Manager* (from September)
Sophie Longmuir, Administration Assistant
Clare McFadden, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Coordinator
Caroline McKnight, National Choral School, Administration Assistant
Talicia Minniecon, Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir Coordinator*
Jennifer Nicholson, Sydney Children’s Choir, Saturday School Assistant
John Nolan, Artistic Operations Manager*
Jocelyn O'Brien, Sydney Children’s Choir Manager
Daria O'Neill, Development Manager*
Corinne Schwartz, Accounts Administrator
Hywel Sims, General Manager
Kate Tomlinson, Finance & Office Manager*
Shelley Watters, Marketing & PR Manager*
Rachel Wheely, Casual Operations Assistant
Lyn Williams, Artistic Director & Founder*
*Holds this position in 2013
Our committed staff work
tirelessly and the reasons they
enjoy working at Gondwana are
varied… here’s just a few…
Working for Gondwana Choirs was for
me, the ideal job I was looking for. I
wanted to utilise my Finance and Office
Skills in an environment where the main
focus was the arts and education and not
profits/shares driven. I like the feeling
that working in the Not-for-Profit sector
gives me knowing that I am giving
something back to the community. I feel
like we give so much to the children in
education and values that they will carry
with them forever and you can’t really
ask for more than that in your job. It’s
why I love coming to work each day. Oh
yeah, I am also one of the crazy people
who loves numbers!
Kate Tomlinson, Finance & Office Manager
I am 100% invested in Gondwana Choirs.
I love the team, am in awe of the music,
and feel touched daily by the enrichment
that we provide for young people around
Australia. I truly appreciate the flexibility,
support and autonomy that I am given
daily, and knowing that I am surrounded
by such passionate people is an
inspiration! Our supporters and donors
are amazing, and I can see why we have
such a high level of engagement from
our stakeholders. I am looking forward to
seeing what we can accomplish in 2013!
Jennifer Drysdale, Philanthropy Manager
I have worked at Gondwana for almost 5
years. I really love working at Gondwana
because of the inspiring impact it has on
so many people. It is a great community
to be a part of, where an eclectic mix of
people are all motivated by a common
vision. While ultimately it is about the
fantastic level of musicality reached in
both rehearsal and performance, the
real reward is being able to see the
lasting impact that excellence can have
on individual choristers and their
communities.
John Nolan, Artistic Operations Manager
30
board of directors
Rebecca Davies, Chairperson and Member of Finance & Audit sub-committee
B Laws (Hons), B Economics, FAICD, Notary Public for NSW
Rebecca Davies, FAICD, is honoured to serve as chair of the Gondwana Choirs board as she is
passionately committed to nurturing our most talented young people to develop their musical
gifts. She is inspired by the vision so clearly developed by Lyn Williams and brought to life by
all the Gondwana family. Rebecca is a lawyer by profession, having been a partner of a major
law firm for many years. She is now a full time non executive director, serving on boards in a
range of sectors, and is a facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A key
spare time activity is singing in choirs.
Nicholas James, Member of Finance & Audit sub-committee
B Com with Merit
Nicholas James is the Chief Financial Officer of Transfield Holdings. Nicholas has 30 years of
global financial experience in investment banking, investment management and finance. He
was with Deutsche Bank in London from 2004 to 2005, with Macquarie Bank from 1993 to
2004 in Sydney, London and New York. Nicholas is a member of the Transfield Holdings
Advisory Board, Chairman of the Novatec Solar Shareholder Committee, and is a Director of
Campus Living Funds Management Limited. Nicholas’ interest in Gondwana Choirs came about
through his son, who is an ex-chorister. Nicholas takes great pleasure in providing his financial
and management skills to the organisation, helping to facilitate the opportunities for the
sensational young singers who journey through Gondwana.
Warren Lee
BA (Hons), University of Sydney LLB, University of Sydney
From an initial background as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer with Freehills, Warren has
more than 20 years experience working in, and advising on, traditional and new media. He
has served as Director of Strategy or Corporate Development at the Ten Network, FOXTEL and
News Limited and was a Director at boutique investment bank, Grant Samuel. He was the CEO
of Liberty One, Australia’s first publicly listed online business, and the founding CEO of APN
Online, a separate division of APN News & Media established early in 2006 to consolidate
APN’s existing online properties and to develop further online assets.
Apart from the Gondwana Choirs Board, Warren also sits on the World Nomads Board (one of Australia’s leading travel
insurance providers) and is an ambassador of the Powerhouse Museum.
He is married to Sydney neurosurgeon Dr. Erica Jacobson and their daughter, Tabitha, is in Sydney Children’s Choir and
Gondwana Voices. Under the musical direction of Erica, Warren is working on “ABBAlele”, performing ABBA songs
arranged for 3 ukeleles and 3 voices set to debut at Burning Man in August in the Nevada desert.
Kate Lidbetter
BA (University of Sydney), Grad Dip Arts Management (UTS), Masters in Policy (UNSW), GAICD
Kate Lidbetter is Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Services International, which provides a
range of services and products to Australian and international orchestras. Her previous roles
have included Director of Music at the Australia Council for the Arts, Artist Development
Manager of Symphony Australia, Artistic Administrator of the Australian Youth Orchestra and
General Manager of Sydney Children’s Choir.
In addition to her role on the board of Gondwana Choirs, Kate is a Councillor on the Music Council
of Australia and Chair of contemporary music group Ensemble Offspring. She regularly participates
on panels, committees and juries for various music organisations in Australia and abroad.
31
Kate’s passion for Gondwana Choirs began in 1994 when she joined the company as General Manager and was
subsequently on the board for a period of time. Her son Vincent became a chorister in 2008 and now sings in the Young
Men’s Choir for boys with changing voices. Kate has observed the many positive outcomes Vincent has achieved and
wants as many children as possible to have these experiences.
David Longmuir, Chair of Finance & Audit sub-committee
B Eng (Civil), MBA, M Applied Finance
David has qualifications in engineering, business management and applied finance and is a
co-founder of the bespoke infrastructure services business, Everything Infrastructure. In 2000,
after attending an uplifting Sydney Children’s Choir concert, David’s eldest daughter, Sophie,
decided she wanted to join the choir. A few years later, Henrietta, David’s youngest daughter,
also became an SCC chorister. David volunteered as an SCC supervisor, helping out at camps,
concerts and even on an overseas tour. David and his wife, Libby, also helped out by billeting
many wonderful young choristers from across Australia and around the world. More recently,
Henrietta sang and toured with Gondwana Voices in 2008 and 2009 and with Gondwana Chorale
in 2012 and 2013. Not to be outdone, Sophie sang with Gondwana Chorale in 2010 and 2011.
In 2003, David became a Director of Gondwana Choirs to help develop and support the business as a leading professional
arts organisation.
David Lumb
B Economics, B Laws, Grad Dip Management
David is currently a senior manager at NRMA Motoring & Services, with broad responsibility
across a number of areas including, Membership, marketing communications, publishing and
business intelligence. Previously he was the Managing Director of the Sydney office a global
public relations firm having originally started his professional career as a corporate lawyer.
David is the father of 4 young children, the oldest of whom is a chorister in the Sydney
Children’s choir. He has a keen interest in music and in his younger days was an enthusiastic (if
not entirely competent) bass trombonist.
Karen Mundine
BA Communications, Advanced Cert Management
Karen Mundine is a proud Bundjulung woman from northern NSW. She is the GM
Communications and Strategy with Reconciliation Australia, and has a background of over 20
years' experience in public advocacy, communications and social marketing.
Ceremony is at the heart of Aboriginal culture and Karen has always had a strong belief in the
power of song and music to transform lives, break down barriers and unite people.
Joining the Gondwana Choirs Board has given her the opportunity to apply her professional
skills to her passions and to be a part of an inspiring arts organisation that nurtures the musical
talent of today to become the artistic leaders of tomorrow. She is particularly excited by the
growth of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir and the opportunity for them to proudly share their stories and
language with each other, their fellow choristers, other Australians, and the world. For Karen this is reconciliation in action.
Lyn Williams OAM, Artistic Director
BMus, ASCM, Grad Dip Conducting
Lyn Williams is the Founder and Artistic Director of Gondwana Choirs.
(Her detailed biography can be read on page 7 of this report)
Company secretary
Ms Rachel Hadfield has been the Company Secretary since 18 July 2012.
Mr Hywel Sims served as Company Secretary between March 2012 and July 2012.
Ms Rebecca Davies served as Company Secretary between May 2011 and March 2012.
32
The opportunities that we offer our choristers would not be possible without the critical support
of our government and corporate partners, our wonderful donors and in-kind supporters.
In 2012 we continued our triennial funding from the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts NSW and City of Sydney, as
well as receiving annual funding from the Office of the Arts: Indigenous Cultural Support, the Department of
Immigration’s Diversity and Social Cohesion Program and DFAT's Council for Arab-Australian Relations.
Donations to our programs were received from 187 generous individuals and philanthropic trusts and foundations
including the Kinghorn Foundation, Scanlon Foundation, Maddocks Foundation, James N. Kirby Foundation,
APRA/AMCOS and the Telstra Kids Fund. We established a new fund - Gondwana Innovations Patrons - to support
the commissioning and production of new works, and we sincerely thank our Founding Innovations Patrons; Ray
Wilson OAM, Rebecca Davies, Vicki Olsson, Elizabeth Oomens and Helen Williams.
We were thrilled to sign a new three-year sponsorship agreement with Rio Tinto - now Principal Partner to our
Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir (GNICC). Qantas continued to support the GNICC in 2012, and whilst
the relationship is changing we see considerable benefit for both sides in maintaining the strength of commitment.
Corporate sponsorship continues to be an area where we would like to develop more longstanding relationships.
We would also like to thank APRA, Blitz Books, Cairns State High School, City Recital Hall Angel Place,
Conservatorium High School, Electric Canvas, Maximus International, Theme & Variations, Anita Williams and Walker
Books for their invaluable in-kind support. Finally we must thank Clayton Utz, Creative Zoo, Ernst & Young,
Fragomens, Freehills, Grant Samuel and Herbert Geer for their pro-bono advice.
Over 100 volunteers gave their time to assist Gondwana Choirs in our activities – from chorister supervision to office
assistance. We could not function without them and are incredibly grateful for their support.
Photo: David Stefanoff
our sponsors and
supporters
33
my
gondwana
story
My daughter started to sing with the Sydney Children’s Choir when she was in Year 2.
At the time I didn’t know much about the choir, but I had extremely good childhood
memories of choir singing myself and I wanted her to be able experience the same joy and
delight I found in singing.
I have since learned to know the organisation through my daughter’s eyes, taking her to rehearsals, speaking with
the staff and through the many concerts that we have attended. Not so long ago I decided that I would start giving
a little extra while paying my choir fees mostly to support the bursary program. Following an inspirational talk by
Lyn Williams at a celebration of International Women’s day at Maddocks I decided to give a little more to support
some of the many projects that Gondwana undertake every year.
My decision to give was certainly motivated at first by our personal involvement in the SCC but as I have grown to
know the whole organisation better it has made my commitment to help it even stronger. The artistic standard that
we can hear at every performance, the commitment and dedication of the staff, the vision that Gondwana
represents to make choral music accessible to every child in Australia has to be supported and encouraged.
We hear so many times great stories of achievements, team spirit and dedication in Australia mostly related to sport
and how it could change your children’s life. I rarely hear such stories related to music. And then I see the focus and
concentration in the eyes of the choristers in rehearsals or performances, their pride in being part of a great musical
journey and I can only applaud the organisation that makes it all possible.
This year my daughter will be touring Europe with the choir. In January she participated in the Gondwana National
Choral School camp where she sung and lived for ten days with children from all around Australia who share the
same passion and enthusiasm.
What she has been able to experience and enjoy should be accessible to
every child and it is my hope that more will support this vision.
Sylvie Renaud-Calmel,
Parent and Donor
34
Principal Partner (Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir)
Government Partners
Major Partners
Gondwana
We also acknowledge the significant support of the Kinghorn Foundation
35
Corporate Partners
Supporting Partners
Media Partner
36
Gondwana
In 2012 we formed a new community of donors to help us build and sustain the unique
musical heritage created since Lyn Williams founded the first Sydney Children’s Choir in 1989.
Our ‘Innovations Patrons’ are supporting us to commission new music and create new concert
experiences which challenge, inspire and delight, raising over $42 000 in their first year.
The first new work to benefit from the generosity of Gondwana Innovations Patrons was Heritage in Song,
presented at City Recital Hall Angel Place in September 2012.
Many of you will remember the great success of Ngailu - Boy of the Stars - our first children’s opera in indigenous
language, developed in 2008 and performed to great acclaim in 2009. In 2012 Gondwana commissioned composers
James Ledger and Michael Atherton to begin work on two new Indigenous children’s operas, involving local children
as well as story-tellers, artists, musicians and linguists in communities in East Kimberley and South-Western Sydney.
Innovations Patrons are supporting the development of these exciting new projects, which will help to illustrate the
cultural diversity of Australia’s first peoples, as well as the commissioning of new works for our Sydney Children’s
Choir and National Choirs to perform at home and internationally.
37
Gondwana Innovations Patrons (over $200)
Individual Supporters (over $200)
Clare Ainsworth
Alexandra Cameron-Fraser
Lisa Chung
Gertraud & Richard Cohen
Rebecca Davies
Jane & Richard Freudenstein
Gaye Headlam
Darryl & Katherine Hodgkinson
Steven & Meredith Huntingford
Kerin Family
Massey Family
Nicholson Family
Vicki Olsson
Pieter & Elizabeth Oomens
Sylvie Renaud-Calmel
Shaw Family
WGCDR Michael Stuart-Watt
Penny & Imogen Sturrock
Dr Warwick Benson & Dr Sally Greenaway
Music With a View
Helen Williams
Ray Wilson OAM
Jill Wran
Anonymous x 6
Melanie & Michael America
In Memory of Mr Habib Barbara
Rebecca Davies
Alison Deitz
Drysdale Family
Sarah Foster
Gorbatov Family
Michael & Sue Gregg
Hadfield Family
Steven & Meredith Huntingford
Dr Richard Letts AM
Massey Family
McQuillan Family
Robyn Mellor
Miller Cohen Family
Nigel & Katherine Peck
Tim Power
Dr & Mrs Nigel Prior
Karin Proudman
Lynn Ralph
Shaw Family
WGCDR Michael Stuart-Watt
Syrkiewicz Family
Les & Sheila Thorne
John Tucker
Lyn Williams OAM
Anonymous x 6
bursary
program
Accessibility is one of our core values - and ensuring that no suitably talented and enthusiastic child is
excluded from our programs due to financial or geographical barriers lives that value. Bursary recipients include
Gondwana choristers from rural, regional and remote Australia, whose families may have been adversely affected
by drought, floods and increased food and fuel prices. Others are single income families reliant on government
income support or families touched by tragedy.
Bursaries provided financial assistance for participation in two major programs in 2012:
National Choral School and Sydney Children’s Choir.
Compared with 2011,
Sydney Children’s Choir
in 2012 had an 18% increase
in the number of bursaries
Compared with 2011,
National Choral School
in 2012 had a 17% increase
in the number of bursaries
94% of our bursary recipients
for National Choral School
come from rural, regional
and remote Australia.
our
volunteers of 2012
Gwenda Aay
Peter Aay
Lasmintan Ah Boo
AJ America
Derek Bagatourian
Lisa Bailey
Simone Baker
Gladys Balan
Olivia Bandler-Llewelyn
Phillipa Beckinsdale
Gina Blackwell
Jo Blakey
Brenton Boswell
Wilhelmina Brown
Alex Burjan
Justine Butler
Jane Brookes
Thomas Cameron
Emmanuel Cardakaris
Jenny Cartwright
Tania Casey
Sally Clark
Gertraud Cohen
Virginia Comerford
Georgie Cropper
Allison Deitz
Jane Diamond
Gina Dorante
Cherry Dutton
Kate Elliott
Fiona Fairweather
Tom Frith
Olga Ganapolsky
Anitra Gollings
Mimi Greenbaum
Lindi Greenfield
Lynn Gribble
Anne Hanna
Phillip Hersch
Rochelle Hersch
Vienna Hidajat
Ingrid Ilchef
Susan Ingham
Aunty Maxine Jarrett
Marie Javonovski
Sara King
Ben Kelley
Tracey Kingston-Bull
Barbara Kozak
Adele Kozak
Fiona Loader
John Looker
Bronwyn Macindoe
Kaye Marcus
Atalya Masi
Linda Mather
Kerry McDonald
Dee McFaul
Anne McKenna
Maria McQuinn
Karen Mierisch
Nyssa Milligan
Annette Milroy
Gavin Morrison
Chantal Movig
Jennifer Nicholson
Kathryn Nicholson-Perry
Katherine O’Grady
Mary Perrottet
Judy Powell-Thomas
Christopher Retter
Vanessa Rohanna
Sima Rowshan
Juana Sausa
Anne Shearman
Seng Sirimat
Robyn Smiles
Jenny Starling
Louise Stone
Tricia Studdy
Lien Tat
Juliet Taylor
Elizabeth Thompson
Sheila Thorne
Danielle Townsend
Francisca van Wel
Leane Wallace
David Walker
Kellie Williams
Louise Williams
Nuala Williams
Catherine Wilson
Leanne Winfield
Roewen Wishart
Mocita Wong
Lynn Wood
Sam Woods
38
concise
financial report
This concise financial report is an extract derived from the full financial report of
Gondwana Choirs for the period ending 31 December 2012.
The concise financial report cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial performance and
position of Gondwana Choirs as is provided by the full financial report. Please contact us to receive the full financial
report.
statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 31 December 2012
Revenue
Expenses
Employee benefits expense
Depreciation and amortisation expenses
Administration expenses
Marketing expenses
Production expenses
Total comprehensive income for the year
2012
$
2011
$
2,276,142
2,296,103
(1,060,883)
(25,377)
(234,668)
(65,012)
(875,839)
(969,748)
(19,905)
(221,712)
(47,109)
(970,991)
(2,261,779)
(2,229,465)
14,363
66,638
sources of income 2012
participation fees
3% 5%
government funding
13%
48%
3%
corporate sponsorship
box office
11%
donations
17%
performance fees
other income
Gondwana Choirs has achieved a surplus in 2012 of $14,363.
Whilst the major source of income continues to come from attendance fees for Sydney Children’s Choir choral
training, National Choral School and touring, our growth and the opportunities that we offer our choristers would
not be possible without the support of our government and corporate partners, our generous donors and the
parents of our choristers.
39
statement of financial position
as at 31 December 2012
2012
$
2011
$
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Other assets
1,307,953
419,673
16,749
113,986
1,339,410
199,175
19,982
54,160
Total current assets
1,858,361
1,612,727
Plant and equipment
Intangibles
83,488
1,808
61,366
2,811
Total non-current assets
85,296
64,177
1,943,657
1,676,904
120,512
117,827
129,175
718,882
114,156
91,282
229,504
401,755
1,086,396
836,697
Provisions
43,967
41,276
Total non-current liabilities
43,967
41,276
1,130,363
877,973
813,294
798,931
813,294
798,931
ASSETS
Current assets
Non-current assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Government grants
Income in advance
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
General funds
40
statement of changes in funds
for the year ended 31 December 2012
2012
$
2011
$
798,931
732,293
14,363
66,638
813,294
798,931
2012
$
2011
$
1,623,395
291,482
258,667
39,474
1,713,810
270,840
110,000
35,062
323,593
476,747
(915,947)
(1,599,062)
(897,192)
(1,620,874)
21,602
88,393
(46,350)
(6,709)
(19,099)
(558)
Net cash outflow from investing activities
(53,059)
(19,657)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents held
(31,457)
68,736
1,339,410
1,270,674
1,307,953
1,339,410
Balance at 1 January
Surplus for the year
Balance at 31 December
statement of cash flows
for the year ended 31 December 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts
Receipts from customers
Receipts from donors
Sponsorships received
Interest received
Cash flows from government
Receipts from appropriations/grants
Payments
Wages and salaries
Other suppliers
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for plant and equipment
Payments for intangibles
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the financial year
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the financial year
41
directors’ declaration
The directors declare that:
(a) in the directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will
be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable;
(b) in the directors’ opinion, the attached financial statements and notes thereto are in
accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including compliance with accounting standards
and giving a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the Company; and
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors made pursuant to s.295(5) of the
Corporations Act 2001.
On behalf of the directors
REBECCA DAVIES
Director
Sydney 8 April 2013
declaration by chairman of directors
in respect of fundraising appeals
I, Rebecca Davies, a director of Gondwana Choirs, declare in my opinion;
(a) the financial report gives a true and fair view of all income and expenditure of Gondwana
Choirs with respect to fundraising appeal activities for the year ended 31 December 2012;
(b) the statement of financial position gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs with
respect to fundraising appeal activities as at 31 December 2012;
(c) the provisions of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and Regulations and the conditions
attached to the authority have been complied with for the year ended 31 December 2012;
and
(d) the internal controls exercised by Gondwana Choirs are appropriate and effective in
accounting for all income received and applied from any fundraising appeals.
REBECCA DAVIES
Director
Sydney 8 April 2013
42
auditor’s independence declaration
under s307C of the Corporations Act 2001
To the Directors of Gondwana Choirs Limited:
I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended
31 December 2012 there have been:
(i) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the
Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and
(ii) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
STEVEN J MILLER & CO
Chartered Accountant
S J MILLER
Principal
Sydney
8 April 2013
43
independent audit report
To the members of Gondwana Choirs
Report on the financial report
I have audited the accompanying financial report of Gondwana Choirs Limited (the
company), which comprises the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2012 and
the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in funds and statement of
cash flows for the year ended on that date, a summary of significant accounting policies and
other explanatory notes and directors’ declaration.
The responsibility of the directors for the financial report
The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the
Corporations Act 2001. This responsibility includes designing, implementing and maintaining internal control
relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting
estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances. In note 2, the Directors also state, in accordance with Australian
Accounting Standards AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements, that, compliance with the Australian
Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements ensures that the financial report, comprising the financial
statements and notes, complies with Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements.
Auditor’s responsibility
My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I have conducted my audit in
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that I comply with relevant ethical
requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial
report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of
material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the
auditor considers internal control relevant to the company’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report
in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors,
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.
Independence
In conducting my audit, I have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
44
Auditor’s opinion pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001
In my opinion, the financial report of Gondwana Choirs Limited is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001,
including:
a. giving a true and fair view of the Company’s financial position as at 31 December 2012 and of its
performance for the year ended on that date; and
b. complying with Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements (including Australian
Accounting Interpretations) as described in Note 2 and the Corporations Regulations 2001.
I also report that:
a. the financial statements show a true and fair view of the financial result of fundraising appeals conducted
during the year;
b. the accounting and associated records have been properly kept during the year in accordance with the
Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the Regulations;
c. money received as a result of fundraising appeals conducted during the year have been properly accounted
for and applied in accordance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the Regulations; and
d. at the date of this report, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its
debts as and when they fall due.
STEVEN J MILLER & CO
Chartered Accountant
S J MILLER
Principal
Sydney
8 April 2013
45
Gondwana Choirs has some fantastic projects
coming up in 2013 and beyond
we
need your help
to realise them…
Support our Bursary program to provide opportunities for talented young people to
participate in life-changing choral education via our;
Gondwana National Choral School, an innovative and inspirational two-week program
for up to 300 young Australians from diverse backgrounds across the nation, featuring
the best composers, conductors, guest artists and music teachers. The heart-beat of
Australian choral culture.
Sydney Children’s Choir choral training program of weekly rehearsals, music theory,
sight-singing, tours and performances.
Become a Gondwana Innovations Patron and help us commission, develop and produce;
Two new Indigenous children’s operas, featuring the stories, songs, dances and
amazing visual arts of the people of Warmun, East Kimberley, and the varied cultural
backgrounds of the Aboriginal community of Campbelltown, South-Western Sydney;
New Australian choral works to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Sydney Children’s
Choir in 2014;
A major choral piece commemorating the centenary of Gallipoli in 2015.
Support our Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir program; providing high-quality
musical education at no cost to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.
How to get involved:
• Hear us sing! Come to a concert or listen via Youtube
• Sign-up to our e-newsletter, Behind the Swirl
• Donate over the phone or online at givenow.com.au
• Make Gondwana Choirs the recipient of your next personal fundraising
challenge through Everyday Hero everydayhero.com.au
• Nominate Gondwana Choirs as a charity of choice for your workplace
• Volunteer
Jen Drysdale, Philanthropy Manager – for Individuals & Family Trusts
[email protected] (02) 8274 7010
Daria O’Neill, Development Manager – for Businesses & Corporate Partners
[email protected] (02) 8274 7011
46
We gratefully thank all of the individuals who have
spent time and effort creating this Annual Report.
Anita Williams, chorister parent, has provided in-kind
design services for this Annual Report.
All Gondwana Choirs staff who have provided energy
and enthusiasm to have this project realised.
Photography credits include Lyn Williams OAM, Stephen
Leek and Erica Byrne.
Pier 4, Hickson Rd
Millers Point NSW 2000
p: 02 8274 7000
f: 02 9252 2801
[email protected]
gondwanachoirs.com.au