Aims and Mission

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Aims and Mission Statement

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
Steve Beardshaw   Treasurer
Bev McAlister   Secretary
Julie Dunlop
Vinko Rizmal
Helen Willsher

Cecily Woodberry

Felicity Hardiman

Ray Yates

Bec Cullinan

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.
Mr Jess Exiner	As a former Board Member of the DRMC and resident of Sherbrooke, Jess has been a keen supporter of the DRMC for many years. Jess has donated many musical instruments, a piano and a pianola to the DRMC in recent times. Jess funds the annual Robert Exiner Recorder Celebration and other one-off programs. He now resides on a farm in Fern Hill, Victoria.
BOARD MEMBERS	Background	Special Interest Areas
Norma Durrand B.Ed. TPTC normadurrand@iprimus.com.au	An experienced lyric soprano, Norma was also an educator for over forty years.	Schools networking, Community representation, Artists with special needs, Governance
Bev McAlister muznbev@aol.com.au	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
Julie Dunlop B.Arts, B.Mus. Dip.Ed Julied_tierce@iprimus.com.au	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
Vinko Rizmal vrizmal@aapt.net.au	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.
Helen Willlsher willsherhelen@bigpond.com
Cecily Woodberry cecily.woodberry@gmail.com	Studies; Cecily Woodberry began her singing training in England and continued at the Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, graduating with honours. She continued her vocal studies with Bettine McCaughan while training to be a Music Teacher and singing as a soloist and ensemble member in Opera, Operetta, Oratorio and Concert. More recently she has been studying with Margaret Haggart. Opera and Concert; Cecily is a Principal Artist with Melbourne Opera and has sung as a chorus member of the Victorian Opera Company. Her solo stage roles include Praskovia in The Merry Widow, Giovanni in Rigoletto, the Mother in Madame Butterfly and The Abbess in Suor Angelica for Melbourne Opera. She has also sung in the chorus in Don Giovanni, Carmen, La Traviata, Il Travatore, Tosca, Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, The Pearlfishers and Madama Butterfly and she has studied the role of Mama Lucia. She has sung nearly all the Mezzo/Contralto solo roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire and has also sung as a soloist with Melbourne choirs including Vaughan William’s Mass in G Minor and Handel’s Messiah. As a singer with The Melbourne Chorale Ensemble conducted by John Dingle, she frequently performed with the MSO in a great variety of choral works. More recently however, she has returned to the stage and has performed with the Melbourne Opera Company since its inception.
Ray Yates raymondyates@bigpond.com	Music Education School Principal Former Shire Councillor - 21 years Shire President - 2 yrs	Keeping music in the Australian Curriculum
Steve Beardshaw steve.beardshaw@sensis.com.au
Rebecca Cullinan cul@upweyhs.vic.edu.au
Felicity Hardiman ncosociety@gmail.com
STAFF
Karen Noonan karen@drmc.org.au	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.
Wendy Brainbrain.wendy.s@edumail.vic.gov.au