Front of House Volunteers Needed
With Snaphots: A Musical Scrapbook only one week away, we once again are looking for volunteers to assist us with Front of House duties.
You can sign up here: https://signup.com/go/RNnJQvX
If you have any questions then give our Front of House Manager, Pauline, a ring on 0447 848 348.
Lamplighters present Matters of the Heart
Our Lamplighters Choir, in conjunction with the City of Wollongong Wind Band are presenting two hours of fun music for all ages on Sunday 11 June at 2 pm.
Tickets can be purchased via the event page or at the door (top of escalator to the performance theatre) at the large Collegians City Club.
Alternatively, Dave Bryars is happy to organise tickets for any Arcadian. Contact him directly on drbryars14@gmail.com or 0448 590 535.
For more details see the event page here.
Newsletter - Notice of AGM 2023
58TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of the Arcadians Theatre Group
TO BE HELD AT THE
MINER’S LAMP THEATRE
141 PRINCES HIGHWAY CORRIMAL
SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 2023
3.30 PM FOR A 4.00 PM START
For full details please see the full notice attached: 2023 NOTICE OF AGM & AGENDA
If you have any questions please contact our Secretary Kerrie Hartin on 0421 272 608 or e-mail secretary@arcadians.org.au.
The Annual Report can be found here: 2022 AGM ANNUAL REPORT
The Auditor’s Financial Report for 2022 can be found here: 2022 Auditor’s Report
Previous AGM’s Minutes: 2022 AGM MINUTES
Should you be unavailable and wish to have another member represent you as a proxy, please complete this PROXY VOTING FORM and return it via email to secretary@arcadians.org.au.
Newsletter - Save the Date – Notice of AGM
58TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of the Arcadians Theatre Group
to be held at the
Miner’s Lamp Theatre
141 Princes Highway Corrimal
Sunday 19th March 2023
3.30 pm for a 4.00 pm start
Dear Members,
The 58th Annual General Meeting of the Arcadians Theatre Group will be held at the Miner’s Lamp Theatre on Sunday, 19 March at 3.30 pm for a 4 pm start.
Special business to be conducted will include amendments to our Articles of Association to comply with the Register of Cultural Organisations requirements and other changes discussed at the 2022 AGM.
The election of the 2023 Board will also take place. While some of the current Board intends to stand again, all positions are declared vacant and nominations will be accepted for all positions. We will need a new Treasurer with experience in MYOB (or a willingness to learn) and a new General Board Member as Lauren Eade and Natalie Bazun-Coates have indicated they will stand down to spend more time with their young families.
Both ladies have made invaluable contributions during their time on the Board. Natalie has revamped the Refreshment Bar. Lauren has set up an accounting system that will enable a smooth transition from one Treasurer to the next and she will assist in any way to ensure this happens.
As approved at the 2022 AGM, nominations in writing must be received by the Secretary at least 3 days prior to the AGM, ie. by 4 pm on 16 March. Also approved was the election of the Vice President at the AGM rather than by appointment from the General Board Members at the first meeting of the new Board.
A legal requirement for all Board members is to obtain a Director’s Identification Number. This can be done through the MyGov website or by following this link: Director’s Identification Number
Please click on the link for the Nomination Form.
The Minutes of the 2022 AGM, 2022 Report, Agenda for 2023, and Proposed Amendments will be posted on the Arcadians website at the beginning of March. You will be notified by email when these are available for your perusal.
Footloose
With a sold out season, it’s time to organise our Front of House crew. If you are able to assist, please click on the link to go to the sign-up sheet.
Kind regards
Kerrie Hartin
Secretary
Vale Life Member Diana Brown
It was our privilege to provide the Miner’s Lamp Theatre for the funeral service of our beloved Life Member Diana Brown recently. Diana passed away surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.
The outpouring of sympathy for Andrew, Susie, Melissa, Antonia, and their families over the past few weeks demonstrates the high regard in which Diana was held by many people in the community. She participated on stage and off with many local theatre companies, Choral Societies, and Church Choirs and they have expressed their gratitude to the family for Diana’s contribution. I will reflect only on her membership of the Arcadians and most probably will not do justice to her impact over the years.
Arcadians have had the benefit of her dedication, love, energy, and enthusiasm for theatre over many, many years. She was not only involved on stage but behind the scenes in so many roles; some of which I will try to capture here.
Some of Diana’s early roles included Mrs Botting (Half a Sixpence, 1981), Mathilda (in the world premiere of Minerva Bird, 1984), Aunt Ella (Oklahoma, 1989), Mrs O’Malley (opposite daughter Susie in the lead role in Funny Girl, 1991) as well as chorus roles in numerous productions. Diana also performed in the touring club show Hitz of the Blitz in its many incarnations over the years. She is probably best known for her betrayal of the cynical Madame Thénardier in our 1993 and 1994 seasons of Les Misérables.
Diana was also heavily involved in the administrative aspects of Arcadians for many years. Roles on the Committee including Liaison Officer where she excelled in welcoming new members and addressing cast needs during rehearsals. As a parent supporting her children in the Arcadians Children’s Theatre company, she assisted in the organisation of Saturday rehearsals and canteen duties on many occasions.
Diana also co-ordinated our School’s Award program which gave feedback to students and teachers on their live school productions. Her ability to organise the Review Committee to attend school performances in conjunction with teachers led to Arcadians being recognised in the School Community as providing valuable insights into production values. The feedback given to students and teachers on their production gave encouragement to develop this art form.
Other duties included Buyer for the Refreshment Bar (canteen as it was formerly known), booking agent and singer with the Arcadian Minstrels (our touring singing group offering entertainment to those less likely to be able to travel to the theatre), and Chairperson and member of the Ladies Auxiliary (which raised funds for vital purchases for the benefit of members).
However, most members will remember her for the slices she baked for the cast at rehearsals and the Monday Maintenance Men working days. Ask anyone and they will say her “Mars Bar Slices” were the best – ever!
So it was only fitting that we were able to make Diana’s farewell special by being held at the Miner’s Lamp Theatre on the set of our Les Misérables production of 2022. I’m sure I speak for everyone who knew Diana at Arcadians that she is missed considerably. We wish Andrew, Susie, Melissa, Antonia and their families our deepest sympathies. She was a pillar of strength to us all.
Vale Diana.
Arcadians Children’s Theatre Auditions
ACT Information for 2023
UPDATE
All positions for 2023 have been filled. Congratulations to all those who auditioned & were successful.
ACT will be holding OPEN AUDITIONS for 2023
THERE ARE LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR 2023.
INFORMATION NIGHT – Friday 7th October at 6.30pm at the Miners Lamp Theatre. You will need to attend the information night to book an audition.
AUDITIONS – Friday 14th October from 4pm at the Miners Lamp Theatre.
Newsletter - June 2022 Newsletter
Our latest newsletter can be read here: June 2022 Newsletter
AGM 2022 Update
We had a very busy World Theatre Day, yesterday.
Our AGM went off smoothly and we would like to thank everyone who braved the perils of public gatherings and came alone.
We welcomed two new Life Members to our family (more on them later).
We also thanked retiring board members Pauline Young and Ken Mascord for their tireless service and welcomed Janne-Maree McNeice as our new ACT Representative and Chris McRobert as our Lamplighters’ Representative.
All other roles were retained and you can see the 2022 Board here: http://arcadians.org.au/about/the-board/
Finally, the tickets for our first Arcadians Children’s Theatre show of 2022, “Xanadu JR” went on sale. You can buy your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/BIOBA
President’s Message – Welcome to 2022
As you read this “When the Rain Stops Falling” is in its final week of rehearsals and looking very enticing already. How appropriate a choice for first show after COVID and it’s raining as well! Peter Scrine has assembled an excellent cast and production team to stage the show and await to welcome you our audience back. Book now!
ACT is in full preparation for its production of Xanadu JR. opening end of April. Watch out for the announcement of tickets going on sale. They will sell fast so stay vigilant.
The Monday Maintenance Men, Lamplighters, Costume ladies and Props staff have all returned to there usual time slots to continue their excellent work in maintaining and improving our wonderful facilities. We are an extremely fortunate Group to have so many members willing to give up their time to make Arcadians a better place for everyone to enjoy. Please feel free to join in if you can spare the time. I’m sure you would be most welcome.
Attached is further details of our Annual General Meeting coming up on March 27. I do look forward to catching up with as many of you that can attend. It’s your participation in the Group’s activities that keeps us ongoing – for many years to come! https://www.facebook.com/events/2113985988764219
The full AGM Notice with papers will be posted on our website 14 days prior to the AGM.
Steve Sanders
A Christmas Message from the President
I recently watched on television a documentary of the history of Harrods Department store in London. It mentioned the influence of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” on their decision to give hundreds of Christmas hampers out to the less fortunate members of the London community each year. A tradition that still continues today. As a kid growing up, I would listen to my Grandmother’s double album narration of the story and be enthralled with what I heard. The story of the nasty Ebenezer Scrooge and the little Tiny Tim is still vivid in my memory. Tiny Tim in his innocence changed the way Scrooge thought about life and giving. Perhaps this is where my fascination with story telling and the influence of theatre began.
As Christmas approaches, we look forward to joining with family and friends to celebrate and catch-up. To our Arcadians Family, I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New year. May 2022 be a better year for enjoying theatre and catching up with friends.
Along with our already announced “When the Rain Stops Falling” in March, “Xanadu Jr” from the Arcadians Children’s Theatre in April with their second production yet-to-be-announced for September, “Be More Chill” in June, we are proud to announce our November production will be “Les Misérables”; directed by none other than Malcolm White. 2022 is also the 25th Anniversary of our very own Miners Lamp Theatre. A special event to mark the occasion will be announced early next year so watch this space.
May you all have a relaxing time, enjoying good company, good food and good weather. But more importantly, hugging your loved ones. On behalf of the Board of Management, we wish you all a safe and happy Christmas break.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Ebenezer Scrooge
“God bless us, every one!” – Tiny Tim
Steve Sanders.