Reprinted from the Upper Lachlan Gazette.
Last Wednesday evening, 23rd August, the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) held its Annual General Meeting and bestowed Life Membership on two of its longest standing members – Mrs Sandra Bill and Mrs Rhonda Cummins. These nominations followed on from last year’s recognition and awarding of Life membership to Mrs Helen Campbell (dec) and Mr Robert Bill as inaugural recipients of a CADS Life Membership award.
Sandra Bill was one of the founding members of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society when it was reformed in 1987 and she has been involved in a variety of roles and responsibilities in nearly every CADS production since that time, starting with “Love Rides the Rails” in November 1987.
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 properties, front of house, catering, production management including managing copyright issues, developing media and social media policies and designing CADS’ initial policy and procedure handbook. Sandra also collated and catalogued thousands of CADS costumes and properties – an enormous and at times thankless undertaking. Sandra initiated the CADS use of the TryBooking ticket selling program when CADS had to take over that aspect of theatre management.
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 Kids Acting on Stage (KAOS) over many years deserves special mention. It was Sandra’s drive and aspiration for KAOS to be recognised under the umbrella of CADS, so that the children of Crookwell and district would have an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be acting on stage and supported by the facilities and services of CADS.
Sandra has been an integral part of the CADS team supporting her husband, CADS President Robert Bill, 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.
Rhonda Cummins was also 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, wardrobe manager, and committee member, a position she currently holds. Rhonda, along with Sandra, was also a founding member and main driver of KAOS and continues in this sub-committee role within CADS today.
While Rhonda began her service to CADS in backstage 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 onto the CADS program line-up in the later 2000s.
Rhonda’s particular talent though has been in costume design and procurement of costumes and accessories for most 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.
With such continuous and distinguished service and deep commitment to CADS, Sandra Bill and Rhonda Cummins are most worthy recipients of life membership of the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society.