Page 2280 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 9 May 2012
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the Llewellyn Choir held its rehearsals in the School of Music, gave its performances at Llewellyn Hall and often engaged School of Music students as choristers, soloists and in the orchestra. What happens to the relationship if the ANU School of Music is gutted?
But still more is of concern in this matter. The ANU School of Music has two purpose-built facilities, both of which house lecture theatres, rehearsal rooms, practical classrooms, private teaching rooms, recording studios and performance spaces, including the 1,500-seat Llewellyn Hall. Indeed, the School of Music even houses its own specialist library. These facilities are not just for School of Music students and staff. Llewellyn Hall, in particular, is used regularly for public concerts. In fact, some of the world’s greatest performing artists have appeared on the stage of Llewellyn Hall. At the other end of the scale, what mum and dad would not wipe away a tear of pride as their eight-year-old child plays on the stage of Llewellyn Hall in the annual instrumental music program concert? What will happen to all of this if the ANU School of Music is gutted?
I conclude by going back to where I began: the ANU School of Music will be gutted if the proposal of the ANU’s vice-chancellor is to go ahead. A substantial worry about the proposal is what has been sprung on the staff and students of the school. Minister Burch will announce an amendment to my motion that notes the lack of consultation and we will be supporting that amendment. I simply ask: how could it be that the staff and students were not consulted on such a major policy shift that affects every one of them so profoundly? Why would the staff and students of the ANU School of Music be so blatantly left out of the equation? Quite frankly, if this has occurred, it is nothing short of appalling. The staff and students of the ANU School of Music deserve better.
The Canberra Times article I referred to earlier reported that Professor Young said, and again I quote: “That’s why you have a consultation process—if you’re not going to listen to people, there is no point in having one.” Hear, hear! However, clearly he was not going to listen, and that is why there has been no consultation.
This motion today calls on the Assembly to support the ANU School of Music because the ANU School of Music enriches our community and its musical life. Our community enriches the ANU School of Music and its student base and its standing in the world of music education. It is as much my hope as it is that of the chief executive of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra that the ANU will recognise its place in and responsibility to the community that nurtures it. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MS LE COUTEUR (Molonglo) (5.40), by leave: I move the amendments circulated in my name together:
(1) Omit subparagraph (1)(e), substitute:
“(e) concerns of staff and students about a lack of meaningful consultation conducted by ANU with their staff and student body regarding recent proposed changes; and
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