Aims and Mission Statement

Aims

The Dandenong Ranges Music Council Inc. serves the community of the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley in the Shire of Yarra Ranges about an hour's drive east of Melbourne, the Capital City of Victoria, Australia.

Formed in 1979 by a group of people keen to bring music to the community, the DRMC is now considered to be a model for community music organisations throughout Australia. Go here for a history of the organisation.

The DRMC has made a major contribution to music in the community by providing learning and performance opportunities for musicians of all ages and abilities. Quite a number of members have gone on to become professional performing musicians, teachers, or stage management professionals.

Mission Statement

For Dandenong Ranges Music Council Inc to retain its position at the leading edge of community music development by continuing to create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to listen to, to learn, to participate in, and to perform music in the Yarra Ranges and its environs, in partnership with resident and visiting professional musicians and music educators.


Board Structure

Board members may be contacted through the office on 9754 6566. The current board members are:

Norma Durrand   Chair
Tony Edsall   Vice-Chair
Deirdre Murdoch   Treasurer
Bev McAlister   Secretary
Karen Alexander
Marina Dennis
Julie Dunlop
Alan Fincher
Robert Hermanus
Vinko Rizmal
Ivor Santurini
Caroline Schmidli

Who's Who

PATRONS
The Hon. W A. Borthwick A. M. A one time resident of Kalorama, was the member for Monbulk in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He was also Deputy Premier and Minister for Health. Chaired the inaugural meeting of the DRMC. Bill Borthwick died in 2001, and a Young Musicians Encouragement Prize is offered annually in his memory.
Emeritus Professor Sir Joseph Burke K.B.E. A notable professor of Fine Arts at Melbourne University. He was created a Knight in 1980, and offered much support to the DRMC in its early years. Sir Joseph passed away in 1992.
Professor Robin Batterham AO, BE, PhD, LLD (Hon. Melb), AMusA Professor Batterham is an eminent scientist and was Chief Scientist to the Federal Government from 1999 to 2005. He is organist at Scot’s Church in Melbourne and has a deep and diverse interest in music.
BOARD MEMBERS Background Special Interest Areas
Norma Durrand B.Ed. TPTC
 An experienced lyric soprano, Norma was also an educator for over forty years. Schools networking, Community representation, Artists with special needs, Governance
Bev McAlister
 DRMC Community Music Coordinator
Bev was a driving force in the initial inception of the DRMC. She has received many accolades for her tireless work in community music, most notably an OAM in 1993. Advocate for school and community music. Honorary life member of Music Council of Australia		 Volunteer base, Media lobbyist, Community representation, Community music, health and well-being. New Australian works for schools and community ensembles. Partnerships between professional artists, music educators and the community
Tony Edsall Tony is a third generation Hills resident. He spent an extended period working overseas as a ships purser and magistrate. Community networking, Food handling for events
Deirdre Murdoch
 Deirdre is involved in various singing groups and also undertakes community work. She contributes many volunteer hours to the work of the DRMC. Former nurse and midwife. Health and community houses Networking, particularly with health providers. Governance
Karen Alexander
 Karen is an environmentalist and community campaigner. She is the daughter of Ruth Alexander, co-founder of the National Music Camp Association (now the Australian Youth Orchestra). Lobbying, Forsythia Artists’ Retreat
Marina Dennis
 Marina has a diverse background in office administration, business management, committees and community projects. Governance and procedures
Julie Dunlop B.Arts, B.Mus. Dip.Ed
 A retired teacher, Julie pursues her interest in music through involvement in the Berwick Youth Choir and as organist at All Saints Church in Selby. Community networking, Choral music, Selby Festival
Alan Fincher
 Alan has been a member of Victoria Police for the past 37 years and has been in charge of Monbulk Police Station for the past twenty two years. He has served as a councilor both with Shire of Sherbrooke prior to council amalgamations and with the Shire of Yarra Ranges including a term as mayor in 2003/04. Alan is also a director of Ranges Community Health Inc, a trustee of Victorian Animal Aid Trust together with membership of several other committees. Alan has an appreciation for a diverse range of music but no musical skills at all. He is well aware of the enormous health and social benefits to flow from community involvement in music and proud to support the work of DRMC.
Robert Hermanus
 Robert's work experience involved teaching, social work in a number of different settings, industrial psychology, advocacy and mediation. Robert retired from his last position as an Executive Director of Wesley Mission Melbourne at the end of 2008. Robert has served on the Boards of Volunteering Victoria and Volunteering Australia. Robert has lived in Yarra Ranges for 20 years. Personal history: Born in South Africa, migrated to Australia in 1975, married with 4 children, a son-in-law and 2 grandchildren. Interest in Politics and Social Justice issues. Enjoys all things involving family, friends, gardening, the beach, playing golf, jazz music, African music and watching most forms of sport. Member of the Uniting Church of Australia, Amnesty International and involved in Afro-Australian associations.
Vinko Rizmal
 Vinko is a long time resident of The Patch and Monbulk. He emigrated with his wife, Ellie, from Slovenia and brings with him a great wealth of experience in the cultural traditions of his country. He is a regular visitor to Slovenia and regularly organises cultural visits. He was also instrumental in establishing the 400 year old vine from Slovenia to the Yarra Ranges. Vinko's dream is to host the operetta Mountain Rose in the Ranges.
Ivan Santurini
 Ivan is a member of New Horizons Concert Band for adults and plays percussion. In the past he has had four of his children members of the DRMC.
Caroline Schmidli
STAFF
Karen Noonan
 Karen has been involved in music in the Hills for over 25 years in many roles including choral director, piano teacher, accompanist, classroom teacher and events coordinator. Karen is the conductor of Tecoma Sing Australia and also a member of the Monbulk Fire Brigade. Karens role at the DRMC is in Project Management and office administration. Choirs, Community Networking, Teaching piano, The Lost Dogs Home, Make a Wish Foundation and Gardening.
Marina Dennis
 In addition to her role as bookkeeper, Marina works in the areas of funding applications and general administration, computer network and office systems and assists with DRMC music projects. Interests include supporting opportunities for youth to connect with their community, tap into their passions and realize their potential.
Rachel Nendick
 Rachel Nendick completed her Bachelor of Music in 1995 with a major in Music Therapy. Rachel has worked as a music therapist in the areas of aged care, adult disability and more recently early childhood and palliative care. Rachel began playing the saxophone at Eltham High School and continues to play in sax quartets, wind ensembles and original bands. She has taught saxophone and clarinet and also plays the guitar and sings as part of her work in music therapy. Rachel became involved with the DRMC in 2006, facilitated the Attitude Earth project in 2007 and has since organised several Parties with Attitude for the DRMC.
Tracy Hayllar