From our admin staff to backstage crew to front of house and box office teams, every person who works at Perth Concert Hall plays an important role in putting on the incredible events held in this magnificent venue. In addition to their hard work running the Hall, some of our wonderful staff also volunteer their time and efforts to make our wider community a better place.
Recently, the venue management team at Perth Concert Hall received a Volunteer Employer Recognition Award from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), which recognises the important contribution employers and self-employed volunteers provide to the community.
Pictured left to right: Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM (Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner); Brad Matthews (Perth Concert Hall Operations Manager); Brendon Ellmer CVE (Perth Concert Hall General Manager); Hon. Reece Raymond Whitby MLA (Minister for Emergency Services; Racing and Gaming; Small Business; Volunteering)
We spoke to four Perth Concert Hall staff members, whose volunteer work contributes to a variety of causes, about their experiences giving back to the community.
Brad Matthews (Operations Manager) volunteers with DFES’s State Emergency Service (SES).
“I joined the SES at the start of 2017 because I was looking for something to do outside of work and thought it was a great way to use some skills that I already had as well as learn many new ones. Volunteering with SES involves being available and willing to give up your time for both training each week and weekend courses, and when things aren’t going well for others, to be able to go and assist as best as you can.
The most rewarding thing about it is that you are able to help out in some way when people are in need. This can be going and climbing on someone’s roof when it’s raining heavily to stop a leak or if the roof has been blown off; helping out when there are major bushfires (while SES don’t battle the flames, we still provide a large amount of support in other areas); or, when someone is lost, going out there and looking for them no matter the time.
One of my most memorable experiences was not long after I joined SES, when we went on a search up near Two Rocks for an older gentleman that had been missing overnight. The other half of my search team found the person but we were then on-scene within minutes and spent time with this person until the ambulance arrived. He didn’t let go of my hand until he was strapped in the ambulance bed and being loaded in the back to go to hospital for check-ups.”
Lorraine Rice (Deputy General Manager) volunteers as an audio describer for blind and visually-impaired people.
“Having learnt what audio describing entailed, I was offered the chance to train for this with a group of like-minded ladies, back in 2011 when I was working as Operations Manager at the State Theatre Centre. I felt that being able to ‘paint the picture’ of what was happening on stage for those who were unable to see the picture for themselves would be immensely fulfilling, which it is.
I have described everything from mime to acrobats on the beach, carol concerts, ballet, opera, Indigenous performances, and a lot of spoken word performances. One of my favourites is opera, which is quite demanding because you also have the surtitles to voice so it takes a lot of work to time this with the other audio describer (if there is one) to ensure you don’t describe over the top of one another. Spoken word is another favourite of mine as there are so many different types of performances to see along with all the challenges these sometimes present, such as describing violence or rape.
The most important thing I’ve learned as an audio describer is the importance of inclusivity and not to make assumptions about people with disabilities. Being an audio describer enables me to give back and bring the same enjoyment to other people as I experience when watching performances. The performing arts is a hugely important part of our lived experience and it’s crucial these experiences are made available to everyone in the community.”
Linda Imrie (Front of House Attendant) volunteers as a telephone crisis supporter for Lifeline.
“Between relief teaching, ushering at PCH, and volunteering at Lifeline… life’s busy. I’ve been volunteering at Lifeline for almost 10 years. I applied to be a TCS (telephone crisis supporter) after battling the big 'C' twice. Lots of love, caring, and support came my way during that time and I wanted to give something back.
The work we do at Lifeline is vital to help people through difficult times. Our help seekers can be sad, lonely, anxious or depressed, or their lives may be in danger. We try to ease their distress and work with them to alleviate their pain. Their safety is paramount. To focus on their strengths and enable them to move forward is our aim.
To be an effective TCS, a prospective volunteer primarily needs to be a good listener. They must be non-judgmental, patient, unbiased, accepting, and resilient. It’s challenging but very rewarding!”
Photography: Artshoot Media
Rachel Martella (Box Office Manager) volunteers as Treasurer of the Board of The Choral Collective.
“Voyces Incorporated was founded in 2011 with the aim to promote, perform, and produce contemporary choral music and became The Choral Collective in 2021 after acknowledging the need for a platform for all genres of choral music. Comprising a large ensemble, Voyces and the professional Vanguard Consort, The Choral Collective is led by Artistic Director Dr Robert Braham OAM and Managing Director Luke Donohoe. The Choral Collective has become a hub of artistic merit of the choral community in Perth.
As Treasurer, I oversee the company’s finances alongside the Managing Director but also have the opportunity to put my other arts administration skills to good use. I act as Events Manager for concerts, philanthropic events, and social planning, and lead the administrative side of operations.
As a singer and choral conductor myself, I believe strongly in the opportunities that The Choral Collective provides to singers, audiences, and the wider arts sector in Perth. We have a leading role in our community where we see the positive ripple effect of our efforts every day in administration, artistry, education, and on an individual level. The Choral Collective is a fundamental part of my musical, personal, and professional life and it is a joy to be a part of it!”
