Tag: Our People

Continuous service

Sandra Bill was a founding member of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society when it was reformed in 1987. Not only was she a founding member but she has been involved in a  variety of  aspects in nearly every CADS productions since that time, starting with “Love Rides the Rails” in November 1987. Sandra has subsequently been director, actor, crew, President and committee member, a position she currently holds. Sandra was also founding member and main driver of KAOS -Kids Acting on Stage and continues in this sub-committee role within CADS today.

Demonstrated deep commitment to CADS

Since joining CADS in 1987 Sandra Bill has been an integral part of the CADS team supporting her husband Robert, and together, their time has been devoted to the ongoing success of CADS. The two of them have made a formidable team over the past 36 years and CADS’ longevity is mostly due to their ongoing commitment.

Sandra has always made herself available to CADS not only by being involved in the majority of its productions but also as an administrator having been on the Executive Committee for many years and serving time as President.

Over these last 36 years Sandra has proved her versatility and adaptability by taking on directing, acting, choreography, behind the scenes work in makeup, costumes and props, front of house, catering, production management including managing copyright issues, developing constitutions, media and social media policies and a policy and procedure handbook. Sandra also collated and catalogued thousands of CADS costumes and props – an enormous and thankless undertaking. Sandra also initiated the TryBooking ticket selling program when CADS had to take over that aspect of our theatre group.  

Distinguished service to CADS

Sandra has always been there in one capacity or another when promoting CADS not only within the local community and community groups but also in seeking grants from various bodies to extend the capabilities of the Society and being successful in gaining those grants.

Her work with KAOS over these many years needs special mention. It was her drive and aspiration to get KAOS recognised under the umbrella of CADS in order that the children of Crookwell and district had an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be acting on stage and supported by the facilities and services of CADS.

KAOS has been operating for many years now and there would be few if any productions that did not have the stamp of Sandra on it in one capacity or another, usually as director or production manager.

Sandra Bill, with such a distinguished service and commitment to CADS, is a most worthy recipient of life membership of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society.

Continuous service

Robert Bill was a founding member of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society when it was reformed in 1987. Not only was he a founding member but he has been involved in all its 48 productions since that time in one form or another. His main role being Stage Manager.

Demonstrated deep commitment to CADS

Since joining CADS in 1987 Robert Bill has been an integral part of the CADS team to the point where almost all of Robert’s time is devoted to the ongoing success of CADS. In fact, it has been said that if there was no Robert Bill there would be no CADS, the two go hand in hand.

Robert has always made himself available for CADS not only his involvement in all of its productions but also as an administrator having been on the Executive Committee for many years and more recently as President since 2009.

Besides his family Robert spends most of his waking time dedicated to the advancement of CADS spending many hours in the Memorial Hall repairing equipment, installing new devices, upgrading aging technical components or preparing for a new production.   

Distinguished service to CADS

There have been 48 productions that CADS have staged since its reformation in 1987 and Robert Bill has been involved in everyone. Robert has not only trod the boards in a number of productions, headed up set design and construction on almost every production but has stage managed 43 productions.

Robert has always been on the front foot when promoting CADS not only within the local community and community groups but also our local politicians.

Robert has always been looking out for ways to improve the space which CADS operate in and has been instrumental in procuring funds to upgrade much of Crookwell Memorial Hall’s facilities. The upgrades have included a permanent elevated sound and lighting space, upgraded sound and lighting equipment and improved change rooms for men and women.

Continuous service

Rhonda Cummins was one of the founding members of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society when it was revived in 1987 at a meeting held at Crookwell High School, and has been a member of CADS since that time, notching up 36 years of continuous service.

Not only was Rhonda a founding member but she was part of the production team for “Love Rides the Rails” in November 1987 – CADS’ first production marking its reformation that same year. Rhonda has subsequently been director, actor, in charge of costumes, and committee member, a position she currently holds. Rhonda, along with Sandra, was also a founding member and main driver of KAOS -Kids Acting on Stage and continues in this sub-committee role within CADS today.

Demonstrated deep commitment to CADS

Rhonda has been an integral part of the team behind the continuing success of CADS and the place it holds in this community, working on nearly every production since 1987 up until the present time in one capacity or another. A glance through the many archived production programs spanning that time can only find four gaps where her name is missing from either the cast or crew listings – showing a remarkable commitment and dedication to our local theatre group.

Distinguished service to CADS

While Rhonda began her service to CADS in back stage work in 1987, she branched into acting roles along the way, with a particularly memorable performance as Mrs Slocombe, (whilst bearing an uncannily strong resemblance in both looks and mannerisms to her character,) in CADS’ 2003 production of “Are you Being Served?” Rhonda also assumed the mantle of both director and assistant director for a number of Music Hall shows when they came back on the agenda in the later 2000s.

Rhonda’s particular talent though has been in costume design and procurement of costumes and accessories for many of CADS’ productions. Rhonda’s eye for detail and what works on stage has been an essential asset to the visual impact of each and every production.

Her work with KAOS over these many years also needs special mention. Along with Sandra, Rhonda worked hard to get KAOS recognised under the umbrella of CADS. Many children have benefitted from their dedicated commitment to children’s theatre in our area, evidenced by their current production in rehearsal today.

Rhonda Cummins, with such a distinguished service and commitment to CADS, is a most worthy recipient of life membership of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society.

Continuous service

Helen Campbell was a founding member of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society when it was revived in 1987 and has been a member of CADS since that time, a 35 year continuous service.

Helen has only recently taken a slight step back from her roles in CADS after a bout of illness but is keen to make a comeback as soon as possible.

Helen’s last appearance with CADS was in our last Music Hall production in 2019 at the outstanding age of 90.  

Demonstrated deep commitment to CADS

Helen’s dedication and loyalty to music and teaching was recently recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List being awarded an Order of Australia Medal. That same dedication has been ever present in her selfless commitment in all of CADS’s endeavours.

She has always given so much of herself to CADS, sharing her deep knowledge of music and singing to all cast members. Helen has endeared herself to all who come in contact with her and attracts a deep and genuine respect from all CADS members 

Distinguished service to CADS

Helen Campbell has had a very distinguished and celebrated association with CADS for many years. Helen has taken on many roles through her long connection with CADS including vocal training, music hall piano maestro, and musical director. Not only has Helen been a stalwart tinkling the ivories but she has also been front and centre treading the boards in many productions. Helen has also been of great assistance with KAOS being there to coach the younger performers in their musical roles.

However, Helens greatest contribution to CADS is through her love and passion for music where she has been the ever-reliable Musical Director in 22 productions.  

Nominated: 27/8/2025

Anne has been a dedicated and highly valued member of CADS since it reformed in 1987. Originally joining for her love of singing and performance, it wasn’t long before Anne found herself behind the wheel directing and co-directing productions.

With an incredible 15 productions to her name, Anne has forged her reputation in stone. Known for her attention to detail, out of this world organisation skills, eye for entertainment and ability to plan a whole production down to the smallest of details, Anne is the ultimate asset.

Through the years CADS has enjoyed much success under Anne’s incredible directorship, most notably the introduction of the Old Time Music Hall productions throughout the 90’s. Anne brought new life to the classics and continued to rework, alter and improve content to keep delivering performances that local audiences came to know and love, drawing in record crowds from far and wide and attracting large casts of over 30 members per production.

Anne has the uncanny ability to encourage others to join the wild ride that is CADS and make them feel guilty if they don’t. Although she would never admit it, Anne is an unofficial match maker of Crookwell with several marriages stemming from people meeting through CADS productions. Her enthusiasm and professionalism have been an example to many, particularly the adults in their 20’s who trod the boards at music halls in the 90’s.

Whilst notoriously nervous on stage, Anne starred in 5 productions; Murder in Company 1989, Panic Stations 1990, Dinkum Assorted 1989, Ma Bakers Tonic 1998 and CADS Will Rock You 2024. Cast affectionately recall it was a delight to see Anne swap roles and truly shine on stage in Ma Bakers Tonic 1998 in the role of Ma Baker. Most impressively, Anne was awarded a CAT Award (Canberra Area Theare Award) recognising her prowess on the stage and outstanding talent.

After a short break, Anne returned to CADS and brought the resurgence of the music hall format. It was here that Anne’s capability as a director was really on show, creating skits, researching pieces, cutting, pasting and ultimately revitalising the formula for entertainment delivering several outstanding productions.

Anne refined how she directed shows over the years to the point where we think she could direct at any venue in the country. She is the kind of director that knows every word of the script, every lyric to each song and all corresponding dance moves, she is strict and will not tolerate nonsense but is very deserving of the respect she commands from all that work with her.

The quality of an Anne Cleary production is second to none and a testament to the amount of work and commitment invested throughout the entire process. You should see the impressive working documents she produces for each show!

CADS is incredibly blessed to have had Anne at the helm as an executive member in the position of Secretary for over 12 years. During this time all members and the community have benefitted from her meticulous administrative skills (once a Librarian always a Librarian) Anne is often the coordinator in the chaos and conductor of commotion. From minute taking and communication dissemination, to letter writing and article publication, Anne is a true word smith that is unparalleled, can you imagine the pressure of writing this nomination for one so talented!

It is truly an honour and a privilege to work alongside Anne in any capacity, she is passionate about the arts and the importance of local theatre within the community and schools. Anne holds high standards and ensures that they are always met and upheld.

She is generous with her time, talents and support. CADS would not be where it is today without the blood, sweat and tears of Anne Cleary and it is with absolute pleasure that this nomination is received and supported for lifetime membership to such a devoted and deserving individual.