Words from the Founder

"SYMT was born from a group of schoolboys who originally called ourselves the 'Greenwood Players', but that was before any official status. I formalised us as the 'Normanhurst Uniting Church Musical Society Junior Group' — but it was probably a good thing that the other adults in that musical society were not as supportive as I had hoped, as it was a bit of a mouthful! In 1983, it became a separate entity called Hornsby Youth Musical Theatre.

During the second term in 1979 (schools only had 3 terms in those days), a small group of Year 8 boys from Normanhurst Boys High School wrote a play and decided to perform it for the residents of Greenwood Nursing Home where they had been doing community service. They asked me if I could get permission for them to practise and perform their play in the Uniting Church Hall, and that's how I became involved.

The first thing they learnt was that there can be only one director! They couldn't agree on anything and asked for my help. As a play written by 13–14-year-olds with no theatrical knowledge, it was unmanageable. Rewriting it was out of the question, as the value in it was that they had written it themselves. All I could do was steer the ship and referee the fights! But in doing so I saw what they could do on their own — writing, planning, acting, directing, set dressing, costuming, actually working together. And I wondered what these kids could not do with a bit of direction. I saw their elation when they finally pulled it off, and I asked if they would like to stay together and form a theatrical group.

Then on 15 September, the first Saturday after school resumed, we had our first rehearsal for an end of year show — a compilation of songs set as a Music Hall Show, appropriately called 'Down at the Old Bull and Bush'. We estimated our audiences would be Mum, Dad, Grannie and Aunty Flo. Fortunately, the Bull and Bush was very flexible and open-ended, and we could just add more characters and songs to our pub scene as more kids heard about us and rolled up. By the time the show went to air, we had trebled our numbers.

As well as the kids developing their theatrical talent and skills, there were others — including parents — discovering they had technical and leadership skills they didn't know they had. From a one-man-band and my housekeeping budget, to a committee of mothers (and their housekeeping budgets), to a committee that included parents who were bankers: they realised this was not just something to keep the kids off the street. It was something their kids were very serious about, and this was worth pursuing.

The word 'Theatre' seemed in keeping with our aim of helping kids develop their talent through learning the skills of story-telling in music and drama. And this was where we differed from other musical societies: our shows had to be chosen with the best interests of each individual child in mind. And in every show, each child was given his moment of fame centre-stage.

From little acorns, great oaks grow. In those early days we didn't look beyond the following year. Who would have thought that over 45 years later, SYMT would not only still be going strong, but selling shows to thousands of patrons and setting standards of excellence that we didn't dare dream of?

"SYMT began in the community, has remained in the community and I hope will always do so."

So, here we are — from Down at the Old Bull and Bush, a 19th-century pub sketch with old-time songs for our nursing home audience at the church hall, to Riverside and Glen Street Theatres. SYMT never ceases to amaze me. I believe it is one of the Wonders of the Modern World. From humble beginnings, and through the hard work and dedication of thousands of people over the years, it has slotted seamlessly into — and remains relevant in — a totally different world from that of 1979. And yet it still maintains its foundation philosophy of providing a nurturing environment where every child or young person can thrive.

I'm extremely proud of SYMT and grateful to you all for all your hard work and commitment — and believe me, I know what that entails."