Our Board is made up of representatives from our community together with representatives from the Wagga Wagga City Council and Charles Sturt University. It is responsible for the oversight of our Conservatorium and for the development, implementation and monitoring of our policies and is accountable for these to statutory bodies and government agencies. It sets the budget for our organisation, and is ultimately responsible for our mission and strategic directions. It meets regularly and consults widely with our CEO as well as staff and our community. Our vision is outlined very clearly in our Strategic Plan (Click to download)

DR ANDREW WALLACE - CHAIR

Andrew has been Chair of our Conservatorium for the past fifteen years. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University, with interests in the impacts of climate change, environmental sustainability, history, and education. He has a real passion for both music making and education and has guided the Conservatorium through the massive growth and changes at the RCM, including the development of our new Conservatorium in Simmons Street.

Andrew has a great love for his family and has a wide range of interests including music making as well as in photography, swimming, cycling and just about anything made by Apple.

MS ROBYN THURSTON - Vice Chair - COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE

Robyn has been a community representative on our Board for the last six years. She comes from an executive background in business, tourism, hospitality and event management in Sydney and regional NSW. Robyn currently works in the community services sector, including advisory roles in the re-settlement of asylum seekers and refugees to NSW. She has experience in previous arts and community organisations and has a passion for music and particularly the Conservatorium’s vision of providing quality education and superb performance for all in the Riverina.

Robyn’s interests include music from the Baroque to Bono and the Bee Gees; theatre, travel, cooking for family and friends, gardening. Robyn is an avid reader; although she admits that there is never enough time for much, outside of her ongoing studies in Sociology and Community Services.

 

 

 

MR Manuel donebus - TREASURER - COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE

Manuel has an Economics Degree from ANU and joins the Conservatorium board with 28 years of experience in the property development and management industry; successfully managing many small to very large projects in Wagga Wagga.  His two children are both students of the RCM and music is an integral part of the family’s daily life.

Manuel’s is a tragic sports lover with a particular interest in football (soccer), where he coaches a local junior team.  Other interests include gardening and spending time with family.

Councillor Amelia Parkins - Representative of the Mayor of Wagga Wagga

Qualifications: B. Design (Architecture), M. Architecture, M. Heritage Conservation

Amelia has Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Architecture and Heritage Conservation from The University of Sydney. She joined the Conservatorium Board as a representative of Wagga Wagga City Council in 2022.

Music is an integral part of Amelia's life since she started piano lessons at age four. She went on to experiment playing both the trombone and oboe but her real love remains the piano. Having had first hand experience of the benefits of music education Amelia is passionate about making music accessible to as many people in the community as possible.

Amelia enjoys playing team sports, particularly hockey, and going bushwalking with her family. Amelia believes the opportunity to be involved in the community through arts and sport is an important balance to work and life.

Dr Malcom Allen - Community Representative

Malcolm joined the Conservatorium Board in 2014. Prior to that, he was an Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University, with a background in bio-organic chemistry gained at Manchester University. His interest in music arrived late in life and, now in retirement, is a student of piano at the Conservatorium and, together with his wife Helen, a part scholarship sponsor at the Conservatorium.

He enjoys walking, running, pilates and, when learning music allows, reading about mathematics, physics and astronomy.

Mr John Ireland - community representative

John joined the Conservatorium Board in 2022 as a community representative. John is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW, an Accredited Specialist Mediation and Personal Injury and Arbitrator NSW District Court. He is also a Mediator to Workers Compensation Commission.

Mr robert fry - community representative

Rob is a Chartered Accountant and director with local accounting firm Adams Kenneally White.  Whether in sport or business, Rob has a real passion for the region and through volunteering and work loves helping local businesses and organisations navigate financial hurdles and thrive in their own right. Outside of work Rob enjoys spending time exploring the region with his wife and his daughter and can still be found on the football (soccer) pitch every Sunday.

Rob has experience on the board of several not-for-profit local organisations including South Wagga Apex, the Riverina Ag Network and the Wagga City Wanderers football club.

Mrs Kerry Barker - EDUCATION representative

Kerry joined the Conservatorium Board in 2020 as our educational representative.