Committee

President: Cam Wright
Cam was introduced to the bassoon by Brenda Beck in 1983, his first year at Ballarat High School. With little idea of what a Bassoon was it was chosen principally because it was so different, and appealed to his mechanical leanings. Under the guidance of some excellent teachers Cam’s abilities grew and he grasped at opportunities to play in ensembles and musicals. Cam joined the BSO in 1989 and since then has taken part in many wonderful performances, and been mentored, conducted by, and performed amongst some truly talented people. Through his involvement on the committee, he brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the BSO.

Vice-President: Janice Lynn
Janice started on tenor horn in Ringwood Junior brass Band, later attending the VCA and studying French horn under Alex Grieve. She spent a few years playing professionally with Victorian State Opera, Australian Pops Orchestra, and various freelance engagements. Since then she has travelled around Australia and overseas playing with a variety of orchestras and brass bands. She has also taught and conducted young musicians in Melbourne and Ballarat. Playing in small ensembles has always been an important part of Janice’s music career, and she is the founder and manager of ‘The Little Brass Band’.

Treasurer: Donna McGilligan

Donna became Treasurer of the BSO in 2021 and has a wealth of experience in the finance industry, currently employed as the Finance Coordinator at Ballarat Christian College. She is a founding member of the With One Voice Choir and often reflects that Wednesday night choir sessions are the highlight of her week. Donna’s connection to music is carried through in her family, with three boys who are all very musical, though she thinks they get their talent from their father… Her children have all been members of the Haddon Concert Band in the past and there is rarely a time in her home when there is not an instrument being played, including drums, keyboard, guitar, saxophone, and trumpet. Donna has lived most of her life in Ballarat, with a stint of about 20 years in Sydney.  My children have all been members of the Haddon Concert band in the past.

Secretary: Anna Fernandes
Anna joined the orchestra in 2016 and has served as Secretary from 2018 onward. She also leads the second violins and has played the violin since she was five years old. Anna comes from a musical family and has always enjoyed playing in ensembles. She played in the Engineering Music Society Orchestra throughout her studies at The University of Melbourne and finds that music provides balance to her work as a clinical psychologist.
Photo credit: Jo Armstrong – JJ Photography

Committee Member: Elena Polevaya
Elena is a cellist, pianist and an operatic soprano. She graduated from the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, and has taught music, performed, and recorded with several opera companies and as a recitalist in Melbourne since 1992. Elena has been teaching music in Ballarat since 2015. She has also performed in a range of ensembles in the Grampians region. As a member of the BSO Committee, Elena is involved in the organisation of the annual Youth Concerto Competition. She also recently performed in a Bushfire Relief event.

Committee Member: Frank Dyer
Frank has played trumpet / cornet with various groups and ensembles over the years including Footscray-Yarraville, Ashmore (QLD) and Creswick brass bands and Northern Rivers (NSW), Gold Coast Philharmonic (QLD) and Ballarat Symphony Orchestras. He conducted the Creswick Brass band from 1986 to 1993. Highlights include playing trumpet for the New York touring production of “Porgy & Bess” and the Seagulls Club (NSW) production of “Hair”. In addition to the orchestra, he currently plays trumpet and piccolo trumpet with The Little Brass Band and cornet with Eureka Brass.