We would like to welcome Ray Davy as our new Chair of the Board.
Ray is an engineer by qualification and also holds a law degree. He grew up in a small community in the NSW Southern Highlands and is the co-owner of a management consultancy practice which specialises in support for Councils and communities in regional Australia. Until the last few years, Ray divided his time between Western Australia and New Zealand where he has business interests in both places.
Ray is passionate about the importance of regional and rural communities and the challenges they face. This has been the main focus of his work for many years. Ray returned to NSW at the end of 2018 to take up a position as Director of Infrastructure and Development at Balranald Shire Council, and has recently relocated to Darlington Point. Ray’s connection with the Riverina dates back to his first job out of University when he spent three happy years in Narrandera, and has always stayed in touch with events in the southwest of NSW ever since. He is a lover of theatre and music. In addition to his involvement with South West Music, he is also on the Boards of South West Arts and of Regional Arts NSW.
From Ray’s extensive experience and connections with both the Government and commercial sectors he will be able to provide the company with a sound commercial framework and access to a wider range of funding opportunities through various partnering initiatives. Ray believes that once the Conservatorium has undergone its renovation it will provide the organisation with an ideal opportunity to reposition itself as a regional body and the pre-eminent body for the teaching and performance of music across our region.
When asked how he felt about music education in a regional & rural areas, Ray responded by saying “A vibrant local arts and culture scene is critical to the attraction and retention of people in regional and rural Australia, which is a passion of mine. Music education is an essential element of that. It is also crucial that young people in regional towns, especially those who lack the interest or skills for organized sport, are given the opportunity to pursue alternative recreational interests including music, and can see that they don’t have to go to the City in order to develop their talents.”
Ray would like to see South West Music have a greater regional profile within the South West area. He wants to bring in corporate financial support for our programs to make maximum use of the facilities that we are going to develop.
Ray has replaced Cheryl Fuller as Chair of the Board after Cheryl’s almost 35 year involvement with the organisation. An event will be held in February to farewell Cheryl and welcome Ray. More information to come regarding this in the coming weeks.
We welcome Ray as our new Chair of the Board at South West Music and are confident he will thrive in the role. The future is an exciting time at South West Music so watch this space…!
