Presidents’ Report WAOSA 2009-10

The year of 2009 was a very successful one for WAOSA. It began with some new members on the committee We had been actively seeking some members who were new or at least young teachers who could begin the process Orff training as well as bringing new and interesting ideas to our committee. It was not only youth that we needed but new blood to help those of us who have been on the committee for many years. We have a bigger and talented committee now and this has made the year far more interesting and perhaps a little less exhausting.

We had two very successful events in 2009. The first was our creative Music and Dance conference in late May. We had Darren Hicks and Celia Christmass as our guest presenters and Kade Brown, Anette Kerkovius and Helen Wilson also presented. The conference was very successful.

The level courses took place in October. Our guest presenters were Carol Richards and Robin Staveley. Anette Kerkovius and Helen Wilson also presented. We had agreat reponse to the course. One of the great successes was having the students from UWA taking part. We are hoping that this will happen again this year.

After the level course we also had many more people join our committee. This meant that we had plenty to discuss the item for the Blends, the ANCOS conference in Adelaide.

One very exciting development this last year is that we have set up a website. Thanks to Detlev Kerkovius we have been able to to do this with great style and still be able to afford to keep our committee running.

This meeting sees the beginning of a very exciting time for WAOSA. Our committee issplitting in two as we begin our work for our Conference in Perth in 2012. Anette Kerkovius has already begun the work for that and the sub committee has jobs they are beginning to do.

I would like to thank Anette profusely for all the work she has done as a Vice President.  She has actually been president for the past six months as I have dealt with my partner’s illness and the committee has flourished because of her.

I am happy to end my time as president because I know I will always be involved in WAOSA as long as I can move enough to get to the meetings. I extend good wishes to the new president and the rest of the committee.

Helen Wilson