Paul Scott-Williams didn't want a "circus" or fanfare as he stepped down as Hume Conservatorium director on Thursday.
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A cup of tea, maybe a wine and a moment of reflection suited him just fine.
But it hasn't stopped the tributes flowing for the man who has guided Goulburn's premier music institution for the past 11 years.
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The Con's board chairman Ed Suttle said Mr Scott-Williams had almost quadrupled student numbers to well over 1200, opened numerous new programs and expanded the facility's reach during his time.
"The breadth of music and education availability is as broad as it can be," he said.
"It's the end of a massive era. Paul's legacy is extraordinary."
Mr Scott-Williams says it's time for a break, to "replenish and recover." His husband, Warren Baldsing, died from cancer in early 2020. Mr Scott-Williams returned to work a week later and then COVID hit. Work hasn't stopped since.
"I've hit my level and the body has a way of telling you to take a break," he said.
"I need to re-find my creativity because I like to compose, perform and paint."
Mr Scott-Williams takes a wealth of talent and expertise with him. The chance to return to a region in which he grew up lured the accomplished, singer, pianist and actor to the Con's role in 2010.
Raised in Boorowa, he studied piano from a young age, was playing in a country rock band by eight and delivered music theory classes to his school, which lacked a teacher in this sphere.
He first visited the 1900 Bourke Street Con building as a child competing in a public speaking competition. Its distinctive architecture held a fascination then.
His course was set. Fresh from head of performing arts teaching roles at Melbourne's Knox School and Aitken College, Mr Scott-Williams later secured the Conservatorium's directorship, taking over from Steve O'Connell.
"It's been a journey of discovery - never boring - and there have been many challenges," he said.
"When I arrived, there were a lot of people in acting roles and despite their best efforts, things had drifted a bit."
He put necessary policies and procedures in place and introduced programs to broaden the institution's reach. Today it has 1300 enrolled students across the region, 400 of whom visit the facility. Back then it was a tier two conservatorium. Now it is tier four and the fifth or sixth largest Con in NSW.
"I think there's a perception (now) that it's a bigger and more collegiate place for the community to engage with," Mr Scott-Williams said.
He cited the Rock Con program for youth, the strings initiative for Goulburn Public School students, school music programs throughout the region, an APRA award in 2014 for the Goulburn Oratorio and a 2017 finalist nomination for the Goulburn Concerto, as among his proudest achievements.
Likewise, this year the Con struck a "game changing" partnership with the University of New England to deliver a three-year Bachelor of Music. It means students can learn online but do practical lessons in Goulburn, eliminating the need to move.
In 2015, a handy 140-seat recital space with "brilliant acoustics" was opened as part of the facility's 30th anniversary.
Two years later, the state government finally transferred ownership of the former TAFE campus to the conservatorium. It built on work started by Mr O'Connell and continued by Mr Scott-Williams.
"It involved a lot of work by everyone and meant three campuses could become one," the latter said.
"It's given us security of tenure and a solid base on which to build."
In coming weeks, the Con will mark another milestone with the opening of its Creative Arts Precinct. Incorporating a 240-set auditorium with movable stage, large foyer, work and change rooms, disability access and direct connection to the Rock Con, it makes use of under-utilised space. The project was funded by a $1.3 million Regional Cultural Fund grant.
"It will be open for anyone to hire and goes to the ethos I've tried to instill - that the Con is a creative institution...It empowers the community," Mr Scott-Williams said.
The space will be 'christened' in September with the Hume Chamber Festival.
The outgoing director reflected on the immense talent that had passed through the facility. Jazz musician Bailey Judd was now building a big following in Melbourne. Alexei Caulfield was a "brilliant recordist and a rarity," while Zac Selmes had carved out a career in music theatre and drama in Sydney. There were many more.
The Con also has a well developed scholarship program. Mr Scott-Williams bolstered this with the Warren Baldsing Memorial Jazz Scholarship, named in honour of his husband, an accomplished Jazz musician.
Now it's time for a new chapter. Mr Scott-Williams will take a three-month break and then study a doctorate at the Sydney Conservatorium to become a music education researcher.
But he's staying in Goulburn, a place he loves and for which he sees a vibrant and positive future. A few singing and playing gigs at the Goulburn Club are also on the agenda.
Mr Scott-Williams leaves comfortable with his decision.
"There is incredible potential for the right person to take the Con to the next step," he said.
"Not to grow it for growth's sake but to address the region's needs in music education and performance. Goulburn is unique in having three regional bodies - STARTS, the art gallery and the Con. It has some amazing things here that aren't fully understood or recognised."
Meantime, Mr Suttle said a recruitment process was complete and Mr Scott-Williams' replacement would be announced very soon.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
