Meet Our Executive Team
MAL HEWITT OAM - PRESIDENT
Mal Hewitt graduated from Sydney Conservatorium on 1966, majoring in violin and voice.
Most of his teaching career of 40 years was spent in Western Sydney, where he established band and orchestral programs in several high schools.
From 1981 to 1989 he worked in the DET Performing Arts Unit, leading the state-wide performance programs and music camps.
He has worked with youth orchestras and choirs from USA, Canada, UK and Europe, and throughout Australia, and established The Occasional Performing Sinfonia (TOPS) in 1993, of which he is musical director. Retired from DET in 2005, Mal remains very much involved in music education.
Mal Hewitt graduated from Sydney Conservatorium on 1966, majoring in violin and voice.
Most of his teaching career of 40 years was spent in Western Sydney, where he established band and orchestral programs in several high schools.
From 1981 to 1989 he worked in the DET Performing Arts Unit, leading the state-wide performance programs and music camps.
He has worked with youth orchestras and choirs from USA, Canada, UK and Europe, and throughout Australia, and established The Occasional Performing Sinfonia (TOPS) in 1993, of which he is musical director. Retired from DET in 2005, Mal remains very much involved in music education.
RUTH HALES - MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Ruth Hales graduated from Sydney Conservatorium and Sydney Teachers' College in 1964. Her first teaching appointment was at Pendle Hill High, then followed a couple of years teaching in Scotland.
After a break while her children were young, she returned to teaching in Sydney's north for 26 years. Although officially retired, Ruth still works casually at a local school and remains dedicated to helping to raise awareness about the necessity to include music in the school curriculum.
Ruth Hales graduated from Sydney Conservatorium and Sydney Teachers' College in 1964. Her first teaching appointment was at Pendle Hill High, then followed a couple of years teaching in Scotland.
After a break while her children were young, she returned to teaching in Sydney's north for 26 years. Although officially retired, Ruth still works casually at a local school and remains dedicated to helping to raise awareness about the necessity to include music in the school curriculum.