OCTEC donation sees new Con fundraiser top $600,000

Orange Regional Conservatorium is well on its way to fitting out the interior of its soon-to-be-built new facility thanks to a generous show of support from employment services provider OCTEC Limited.

On Tuesday it was announced that OCTEC had provided $350,000 towards the fit-out of the new $25 million conservatorium and planetarium building, which will be built in the Civic Square North Court o March Street.

OCTEC’s donation follows another major bequest last week of $250,000 from Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations (Cadia), bringing the Conservatorium a third of the way to reaching their $1.5 million fundraising goal.

Orange Regional Conservatorium Director

Donna Riles said the new Conservatorium foyer and two large ensemble rooms will be named in appreciation of OCTEC for their generous donation.

“The foyer of the conservatorium is a communal space for our students and community, and the ensemble rooms will be the centre of activity, with all ensembles, choirs, orchestras, et cetera, rehearsing and warming up there. I think both these spaces resonate particularly well with the work of OCTEC,” Donna said.

Both OCTEC and ORC share a similar history, ORC Management Committee Chair, Dr Pam Ryan said.

Both organisations originated around the same time as boutique operations run out of small cottages. They have both since grown into dynamic organisations that serve the local community and beyond, with a strong focus on education, inclusion and community wellbeing, Dr Ryan said.

“Here we have two products of Orange providing essential social infrastructure and seeking to impact positively on people’s lives,” she said.

Orange City Council recently invited tenders for the $25 million project, with construction due to begin by the end of the year.

The project has received $10 million in funding from both the Australian Government and Orange City Council and $5 million from the NSW Government.

But when complete it will essentially be a shell, which is why the Conservatorium has launched their ‘Music Within’ fundraising campaign to raise $1.5 million for everything from pianos to music stands, specialist chairs, staging equipment, teaching resources, instruments, furniture, technology and more.

Donations to the ‘Music Within’ fundraising campaign can be made through the ORC website or in person at the current premises at 73A Hill Street.

Applications are invited for the ongoing full-time position of Electorate Officer (EOB) to fill a new staffing allocation in the Office of the Hon Andrew Gee MP, based in the Member’s Calare Electorate Office in Orange, NSW.

The responsibilities of the role are, but are not limited to:

• Assisting and responding to constituent matters across the electorate of Calare.

• Liaising with relevant Departments, Agencies and Opposition Offices on behalf of constituents regarding matters relating to the responsibilities of the Federal Government.

• Preparing representations on behalf of the Member.

• Data entry and database management.

• Attending community events in the Electorate as required.

• General administrative tasks within the Electorate Office.

• Occasional travel within the Electorate of Calare and interstate travel to Canberra during Parliamentary sitting weeks.

• Other duties as required.

Applicants should possess the following skills and experience:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and experience in producing targeted communications for a variety of audiences.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and record keeping.

• Ability to self-manage and delegate.

• Well-developed organisational ability and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently and cohesively as part of a small team.

• An understanding of the Australian system of government and parliamentary processes.

• Well-developed IT skills including Microsoft Office.

• Preparedness to work overtime and on weekends when required.

Job details:

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020-23.

• A commencing salary between $69,170 and $80,757 will be negotiated depending on experience and relevant skills.

• An optional additional allowance may be considered in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work.

• Relocation assistance, studies assistance and paid study leave may also be available (subject to eligibility requirements).

• An employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% will be payable.

A probationary period of three months will apply and may be subject to extension.

Applications should be forwarded to andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au and include a resume with the names of two referees and a cover letter addressing the relevant skills and experience required for the role.

Applications close on Friday 30 June 2023. For further information please contact andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au.