The Illawarra Mercury reported that the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music (WollCon) has forced the redundancy of five long‑time music teachers, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from parents and musicians who say it could damage learning outcomes.
Conservatorium chief executive Annette Brown said the cuts were necessary for the institution’s financial viability, noting a $138,942 loss for calendar year 2025 after receiving roughly $560,000 in state funding, an improvement from a $290,752 loss in 2024.
The five staff members, described as senior teachers with about 100 years of combined experience, included Janet Andrews, who led the CHIME children’s program, and band leader David Rooney, a long‑standing figure in the school’s band program.
Parents said the redundancies were announced without consultation, that invoices for the term were already issued for July 20, and that the first week of classes was cancelled, leaving students upset.
Revenue fell from $3.23 million in 2024 to $3.15 million in 2025 despite a $19,000 increase in state funding, and the CEO’s statement referenced only the 2024 loss, omitting the more recent figure.
Community reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly negative, with many parents calling the cuts a loss of “pillars” of the music institution and urging fundraising instead of staff reductions.
For more information, visit illawarramercury.com.au.