Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I acknowledge illustrious members of the Launceston City Council. Today I would like to highlight Nick Tolputt, a young actor, musician and singer in my electorate of Bass. Nick attended St Patrick's College in Launceston, achieving excellent results academically and is currently studying at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Classical Music. He has been involved in over 20 local musical productions and has won numerous awards for excellence. His is also an inaugural member of the Encore Theatre Company mentorship program enabling coaching with other great performers from northern Tasmania, John De Jong and Di Briffa.

Nick is a countertenor, which I am told is one of the rarest of voices. Nick is currently the only one at the Melbourne Conservatorium. Nick was awarded the Dorothy N Glover musical trust scholarship to help fund his higher education in Europe. International countertenor Andreas Scholl has offered to take Nick under his wing and coach him in Switzerland with this scholarship. Nick's mentors tell me that he is driven and he works very hard to achieve his goals. Nick is a fantastic ambassador for the great state of Tasmania and an example of the talent my state has to offer. I look forward to attending his concert in July and wish him all the very best for a brilliant career in the arts. I also thank those who have supported him on his journey, including his family, teachers and mentors.