Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to arts organisations in my electorate, particularly to the community theatre groups. Community theatre is the engine room for the performing arts. Community theatre prepares future performers for their career in helping local people access the arts and in helping us connect with ideas and themes in a way that only the arts can do. I think for example of a young person discovering Shakespeare in a book who sees a play brought to life locally, discovers the humour or the tragedy of the play and is moved by it in a way they otherwise wouldn't have been. I'm lucky to have many community theatre groups in my electorate. Some groups have been established entirely for young people; others have casts of all ages working together to put on productions.

Hornsby Gang Show is an example of one of these which is entirely cast by young people in our community. Since beginning 47 years ago, Hornsby Gang Show has trained hundreds of scouts and guides in all aspects of stagecraft, acting, singing, dancing and behind the scenes skills such as lighting and prop building. The theme for this year's show is 'Wonderstruck!'. People who are key to making the productions a success each year include Rebecca Canty, Lauren Webb, Julia Ralton, Taylor Herbertson, Erin Whyley, Kathleen Walker, Ellen Hopkins, Steph Vorreiter, Nikki Pearsall, Georgia Muxlow, Ben Adam, Cam Hose, Simon Gray, Yvonne Barton-Leach, and, of course, my friend Penny Becchio.

Sydney Youth Musical Theatre is another community theatre group based in my area that has been set up to give young people the opportunity to explore and develop skills in theatre and to develop the desire and ability to achieve the highest standard of excellence in musical theatre. They have been producing shows since 1979 and draw in young people from right across the Sydney region. This year Sydney Youth Musical Theatre's senior show will be Kinky Boots in July with Tom Kelly and Dominic Lee-Lindsay in the lead roles.

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The show will be directed by James Tolhurst, with Callum Close as the musical director and Cameron Beart as the choreographer. The Sydney Youth Musical Theatre was founded by Jan Knight OAM. Its leadership includes Chrissy Stimson, Bruce Bartle, Sarah Dolan, Belinda Escott, Paul Harmon, Adam Haynes, Evan Jones, Grant Leslie, Craig Pinkerton, Karen Smith and Jeremy Zalewski.

The Dural Musical Society is led by Eddie Bruce and attracts actors of all ages. Its more experienced actors invest their lives in teaching and mentoring younger generations in the performing arts. This year they have Ali Baba and the Forty Thieveslined up for their audiences. It's a traditional pantomime which will feature puppetry, slapstick humour, singing, dancing and mime. Some of the people who make the Dural Musical Society such a special institution include John Nawotka, Judy Clarke, Julie Scargill, Laura Murdocca, Camilla Bellstedt, Hugh Humphreys, Julian Floriano, Julie Bruce and the Rowe and Koorey families.

The Normanhurst Uniting Church Musical Society has been entertaining crowds for over 40 years. It was established not only to entertain the local community but also to raise money for the church and for local charities. Donations to local charities over the years have amounted to over $50,000, with donations to groups like Hornsby Lifeline, Fusion, the local church and local Christian education associations. I want to acknowledge Lyn Drabsch, Trevor Sharpham, Kent Blackmore, Ian Baker, Ian Wesley, Chloe Long, Mel Hogan, Ed Corbett and Rich Ferraro. In June this year the NUCMS will be performing She Loves Me, a musical about the manager of a perfumery in Europe looking for love. John Hogan will play the role of bachelor Georg and Jess Ferrero will play the character of Alamia Balash.

The Hornsby Musical Society was founded in 1958 and is one of the oldest musical societies in the electorate. In April this year their performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will open. The show is being directed by Jordan Anderson, with Koren Beale as the musical director and Lauren MacKinnon as the choreographer. The title role of Carole King will be played by Elisa Vitagliani. In October their second show for the year, Holiday Inn, will be performed. It will be directed by Lauren Oxenham, with Brendan Flanagan as the orchestra director and Ben Gibiec as the vocal director.

The Berowra Musical Society was formed in 1986. The society attracts membership from all parts of Sydney. They put on shows in May and October and present a Christmas pantomime every year. In late May they are going to perform Camp Rock: The Musicalat the Berowra Community Centre and will have performers from age eight and up. The show is being directed by Kelly Horrigan, with Michael Howell as the musical director and Monique Harris and Samantha Lee as the choreographers.

Finally, there is Brooklyn Theatre in the Park, in my electorate, founded in 1999 by Ray Bontoft and Peter Hughes. People like Gary Robertson, Ian Allan and Di Bowles help make Brooklyn Theatre in the Park sing for one night in November every year. It is a genuine community theatre organisation that involves everyone in Brooklyn.

I say to all the community theatre organisations in my electorate: thank you for your service, and 'break a leg' for your next productions.

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