By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey’s unofficial ‘Minister of the Arts’ has been recognised for more than 40 years in the region’s theatre scene.
Councillor Wayne Smith was recently inducted into the Lyrebird Awards’ Hall of Fame – a prestigious award covering theatre in East and South-East Melbourne.
He was nominated by three Casey theatre groups – Cranbourne Community Theatre, BATS Theatre Company and Windmill Theatre Company.
Cr Smith first strode the boards when he auditioned for a high-school musical as a 12-year-old. Though he notes he was specifically directed to mime his singing parts.
He went on to be involved in committees, photograph shows and to be a regular member of audiences.
In recent years, he’s worked as a Lyrebird Awards judge.
Susan Bergman, of Cranbourne Community Theatre, paid tribute at a Casey Council meeting on 27 February.
Cr Smith had earned the moniker of Casey’s unofficial ‘Minister of the Arts’, she said.
“Without this person’s tireless dedication over the last few decades… the place of the arts within the City of Casey would not be as it is today.
“It is a source of absolute enjoyment to get the City of Casey’s support over the past few years to do what we enjoy doing.”
Ms Bergman said it was doubtful that facilities such as The Factory and the BATS storage and construction depot would have been built without Cr Smith’s influence.
“These facilities helped to demonstrate how important the arts are and this has culminated in the jewel in the crown … the $125 million Bunjil Place.”
The healthy arts environment was attracting people to Casey, and helping it aspire to being Australia’s most liveable city.
Cr Amanda Stapledon said Cr Smith had done much to introduce colleagues to the arts.
“Without him, the City wouldn’t commit anything like it does.”
