3 minute read
Meet a Golden Kangaroo #3
Introducing: The Golden Kangaroos ' in-house arranger and multi-instrumentalist
We're a pretty big organisation, so it can be hard to get to know the people outside of our respective sections and ensembles, in fuzzy Brady Bunchesque Zoom calls, and behind the names in emails.
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To combat this we've started this segment, Meet a Golden Kangaroo, where we'll sit down with a different member of our community, ask some musical questions and share what they have to say. To start us off, we got to know: Dawn Nettheim.
Dawn has been a member of the Golden Kangaroos since 1989 and has taught music students for 40 years! Dawn also plays a variety of instruments, including piano, pipe organ, percussion, and bassoon. Her passion for music has also seen Dawn get involved with (and become a life member of) several musical groups and organisations, share her knowledge as a lecturer, and be recognised for her passion when she was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) medal!
Q. When did you join the Golden Kangaroos?
D: I moved to Cheltenham in 1982 and used to hear musicians at practice in the old (church) band hall, but did not work up enough courage to go in and ask about joining till two years later. Merrilee McNaught was giving a drum lesson, and graciously filled me in on the details and invited me to join. I was very poor at the time, so I did all the cleaning (inside and outside) and any repairs, mending, gardening, etc. in lieu of paying fees.
Q. What roles have you performed as a member?
D: I volunteered for all sorts of jobs as well:
Wardrobe mistress for a few years, Librarian for a few years, relief conductor for a few months when Mr Grieve was away, and the GK’ s permanent “in-house ” band arranger and copyist. I am a certified member of MAGA (Music Arrangers Guild of Australia) – and also a life member of that organisation.
Q. How has music in general influenced your life?
D: I come from “the bush”, and in 1982, aged 40, I packed a suitcase and ran away from a truly awful situation there, and came to Sydney to start life all over again.
What I did: Gained a Bachelor of music (S.U.) degree, Post graduate diploma of Music (in orchestration), was past Secretary of the Fellowship of Australian Composers (now disbanded as it has achieved its aim to set up the Australian Music Centre as a QUANGO of the government), past Secretary of the Beecroft Symphony Orchestra, and a life member, past Secretary of Ryde Eisteddfod, and a life member.
Image: The Golden Kangaroos / Facebook
Q. Alongside your involvement in the Golden Kangaroos, Beecroft Symphony Orchestra, and Ryde Eisteddfod, how has music factored into your professional life?
D: [I was a] lecturer at Parramatta Conservatorium for a few years, private music teacher for 40 years, had a registered business as a fulltime as copyist for the various professional and amateur orchestras of Australia (and some overseas ones) until advanced computer programs put me out of business in the year 2000.
Now retired, after some illness, but still lecturing at U3A and still available for spot jobs, coaching, etc.
Q. What has been your philosophy in life?
D: I have a great need to be a " useful" citizen, and when that can be combined with my great love of music - that' s heaven!
