Meet the LCSO

MEET THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Ann Aldersey - President

After immensely enjoying the performances of the Orchestra in seasons one and two, Ann joined the Committee in 2014. From Naracoorte, Ann is a former cello student of Jennie Matthews.

Ann currently sits on a number of Boards, and has a broad background in public policy and government, together with qualifications in environmental and water management from Adelaide University and Oxford University. Ann has worked for a number of organisations in the region, as well as stints working internationally. Ann welcomes the opportunity to support regional initiatives and events, such as the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra.

Monica Hart - Vice President and Production Management

Hailing from Perth, Monica studied Production Management at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. In 2001 she continued her career in the Theatre Industry living and working in Melbourne and touring throughout regional Australia.

In 2006 Monica moved to Mt Gambier to join the now defunct, Mainstreet Theatre Company as Production Manager. In Mt Gambier, Monica has worked for ac.care as Senior Program Manager of Foster Care Services, is a Founding Member of the Reels Film Society and now works for Country Arts SA in Grants Administration. Her musical involvement extends to high school guitar lessons and a brief but very enjoyable period playing electric bass in an all-original pop/rock band in Perth.

Jennie Matthews - Secretary and Artistic Director

Jennie graduated from the Elder Conservatorium as a music teacher and violinist. After commencing her teaching career in Adelaide, she moved to Penola in 1985 and taught instrumental music in the Limestone Coast region until her retirement in late 2014. She was the founder of StringBeans, an ensemble for senior students and adult players, which had celebrated ten successful performing years in 2013 and became the backbone of the LCSO string section.

Jennie also plays oboe. She played horn with the Mount Gambier City Band for fifteen years and is currently President of the Mount Gambier City Concert Band. On retirement, Jennie received the 2014 Brand South Australia Community Individual Award and the AUSTA String Teacher Award in 2014-15 for her work in music education.

John Pratt - Librarian and Accommodation Manager

John was born in Mt Gambier and raised on the family farm at Mumbannar, which he now manages. He commenced piano lessons in early primary school and continued until finishing his secondary education, picking up the tuba in Year 10, which enabled him to play in the school concert band and orchestra. After leaving school, John returned to the farm and had a break from music until 2006 when he started viola lessons with Jennie Matthews.

He has been a member of the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra since 2010 as well as Mt Gambier’s StringBeans. John also volunteers with Camp Quality as a Camp Companion, is on the committee of the Dartmoor Show Society and a Trustee of the Dartmoor Cemetery Trust, and is an active member of the Mumbannar Brigade of the Country Fire Association.

Dr Christopher Waite - Treasurer amd Website Administrator

After graduating from Flinders Medical School in 1994 Chris completed post-graduate studies in General Practice and spent several years working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Central Australia. He sat on the Ayers Rock Resort Management Committee during this time. In 2007 he moved to Beachport, where he purchased and managed the medical clinic and continued working as a GP until 2012. He has been an SA Ambulance Service volunteer since the Beachport team was established in 2011.

His music studies have included: AMEB piano performance, a Certificate 4 in Audio Engineering and in 2010 he commenced a Bachelor of Creative Arts at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Toowoomba, majoring in Music Composition. In 2014 he successfully applied for a Country Arts SA Step-Up Grant and was awarded the LCSO’s Composer in Residence. His role in this position continued in 2015.

The Management Committee sincerely thank the musicians and the many behind-the-scenes assistants who have given, and continue to give, their time and talents to bring the live orchestral experience to our patrons.

THE SUPPORT CREW

Past and Current Support Crew include:

Monica Hart (Production Manager/Stage Manager)
Michael Bakker (Previous Stage Manager)
Sebastian Pratt (Assistant Stage Manager)
Stephanie Bone (Assistant Stage Manager)
Nigel Nisbett (Naracoorte Town Hall Manager)
Ann Aldersey (Front of House Manager/Launch Coordinator)
Tom Dermody (Repertoire/Program Research & Transport/Stage Crew)
Vicky Modistach (Naracoorte Ticket Sales)
John Cruise (Bus Driver)
Stephen Maxwell (Stage Crew/Bus Driver)
Kinta Wilson (Website Technical Assistant)
Andrew Kekewick (Rehearsal Catering)
Robert Mutton (Transport/Stage Crew - Naracoorte)
Geoff Stephens (Stage Crew - Naracoorte)
Paul Brill (Transport)
Linda Cruise (Floral Arrangements/Front of House Assistance)
Frank Monger (Photography – Mt Gambier)
Justine Drew (Photography - Naracoorte)
Mike Slattery (Photography)
Des Pluckhahn (Stage Crew/Safety - Helpmann)
Liz Ferguson (Back Stage Assistant)
Andrew Bone (Stage Crew)
Paul Brill (Set Construction)
Don Currie (Front of House)
Elizabeth Ferguson (Rehearsal Catering)
Helen Drinkell (Publicity)
Marianna Van Der Berg (Publicity)