by Debbie Keyt
Trevor Osburn
Trev first joined our theatre family as the father of talented actor Leah and the husband of our creative costume designer, Jen. Our then President, Janine Chugg, intuitively knew what a wonderful asset the Osburn family collectively would be to Beaumaris Theatre. Janine recognised Trev’s credentials as an administrator and manager when he first joined the Committee in 2009.
Trev’s wise counsel has always been well respected and his understanding of facts and figures, business and, practical intelligence is admirable.
In November 2013, Trev stepped up, without hesitation to lead us through a turbulent time. He provided the Committee with strong and steady leadership and kept us focused on the business of running a theatre company. Originally, he probably saw this as a temporary role, but his steadfast leadership has been faithful and constant for the past ten years.
During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 and all the associated challenges, he remained committed, faithful and dependable until our theatre doors reopened. During this time he kept us all focused on reality and encouraged us to move forward calmly, one step at a time dealing with any problems sensibly as they arose. He has always provided us with reports highlighting statistics of audience numbers and percentages, takings and profits and keeping us grounded on what our financial aims are.
In addition to his good judgment and wisdom, he has been our trusty Front-of-House coordinator and manager for over a decade, overseeing our Front-of-House teams to ensure the hospitality and welcome we offer our audiences is always exceptional and friendly. As part of his role, he keeps our fridges and cupboards well stocked so everyone else can go about the business of staging shows.
As an independent and unbiased representative, Trev was the Talbot Adjudicator’s liaison and convenor for many years, explaining processes and procedures, conducting meetings and ensuring the focus was impartial and even-handed. He has organised and coordinated trophies and awards for our Talbots for over ten years.
Trev has participated on several sub-committees over the years such as Health and Safety, Sub-Committee technical meetings, production and director selection panels and liaising with and developing a relationship and partnership with our Men’s Shed neighbours. He was our Secretary for a year too.
The hours Trev has devoted to working bees, painting, building, maintenance, opening up for tradesmen and waiting at the theatre with them while jobs are completed is immense. He has overseen numerous positive upgrades to the theatre such as a foyer revamp and re-carpeting, installation of our motorised raked seating, ongoing upgrades to our lighting and sound infrastructure and upgrades for external and internal lighting for all areas of the theatre and dressing room improvements.
Trev was awarded the Life Membership of Beaumaris Theatre in 2018.
Trev enjoyed his first-ever onstage appearance as ‘himself’ in a cameo in Beaumaris Theatre’s 70th Anniversary Christmas Panto Revue at the end of last year. We suspect it may be his swan song as well!
Trev’s outstanding leadership and guidance have helped us to prosper and flourish. We will be eternally grateful for his governance and friendship and wish him all the best as he turns his attention to other leisurely pursuits. We look forward to his continued involvement in many ways.
Robyn Morris
Robyn was invited to join the Beaumaris Theatre Committee at our AGM at the end of 2002 after being on stage as an actor in several shows since 1998.
At the time, the Committee was experiencing changes in personnel and direction and Robyn’s sense and sensibility, along with her vast theatrical experience made her a wonderful new inclusion.
In 2004 Robyn took over the role of Treasurer at a time when our financial books needed an expert hand and a major overhaul. The Theatre’s finances had been somewhat neglected our financial situation was in distress and desperately needed someone experienced to skillfully administer and manage our monetary funds and help us to build our bank balance back up.
Robyn has been our reliable, organised and trustworthy treasurer for an incredible 20 years. Over that time she has meticulously and thoroughly kept detailed records of our expenses, profits, receipts and all financial reports for each meeting with her strong work ethic and personal and professional integrity. She has devoted an extraordinary amount of time and energy to the role and made sure we adhered to budgets. Robyn’s efficiency, perseverance, adaptability, great budgeting, financial and time management skills are wonderful qualities and have made her a cautious, thrifty, and prudent Treasurer.
For over 20 years Robyn has appeared on our stage as a gifted actor playing many memorable character roles and her passion for directing saw her direct the excellent productions of Farndale…A Christmas Carol; Parramatta Girls; To Kill A Mockingbird; Death by Fatal Murder and Farndale…They Came from Mars…
Robyn has worked behind the scenes and as a Stage Manager on numerous occasions and has worked tirelessly at set builds and on box office and audition meet and greets on countless occasions.
Robyn was awarded Life Membership of Beaumaris Theatre in 2013.
Robyn has been an integral member of Beaumaris Theatre for nearly 30 years our esteemed Treasurer for 20 years and an extremely valued, dutiful member of our committee for 21 marvellous years her insightfulness, devotion and theatrical know-how will be sincerely missed, but we’re grateful she’ll be a regular, appreciative audience member and faithful supporter in the years to come.
Steve Morris
For 21 years Steve has been our Mr Dependable. He joined the Committee with Robyn in 2002 and from day one he has been the voice of reason whenever it came to decisions and discussions. Steve has always encouraged us to view things with an open mind and address the issue at hand and look at the big picture too in a practical, reasonable and logical fashion.
Steve is a quiet achiever, clear thinker and hard worker with excellent moral principles and values. He is also immensely versatile, turning his hand to acting and gracing our stage in multiple guises in a diverse array of shows since 2003 as well as being an organised, efficient stage manager extraordinaire and trusty crew member for countless shows.
Steve is always happy to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty at Saturday set builds (unless his beloved Cats have a game) and he is a jack of all trades and can turn his hand to any task involved with building, repairs, props and painting.
He is the master of the tip run and we can rely on him to load up his car after a big cleanup and cull our timber or props storage areas. Steve has always tended to and cultivated our garden areas too.
Steve is the Quiz King and has hosted many fun trivia fundraising nights for us over the years and his general knowledge is beyond compare.
He has been our Public Officer during his time on the Committee, diligently submits our annual statements to Consumer Affairs each year and held the important office of Vice President for 8 years. He was our committed membership secretary for many years, constantly updating all membership information and reports.
In his 20-plus years on the Committee, he has served on various sub-committees, notably the Health and Safety Sub-Committee and he has an eagle eye for proofreading programs. He’s been our trusted choc top monitor for several years, ensuring the popular audience treat is always available. He organised bumper stickers and badges for us as well.
Steve’s allegiance to Beaumaris Theatre earned him Life Membership in 2013 and his constancy and dedication have never waivered. No job is too big or too small and he tackles all chores without complaint or fuss with his affable, jovial nature. His presence will be missed, but we know as always, we can call on him when we need something done and he’ll always be there for us, just like he always has.