Noel Cislowski - Sapphire PHF citation

I would like to shine a light on a very special Rotarian who made tonight possible ….. and provide a short tribute to our Noel Cislowski.
 
Noel is one of foremost adjudicators in drama, speech and music:
  • He has been the creative force behind the Gordon Waterhouse Memorial Music Scholarship over the past 8 years
  • He has judged drama and music festivals throughout Australia and in New Zealand.
  • He holds the highest diplomas available in speech and drama and singing from the AMEB
  • Noel is an Examiner in Speech and Drama with the AMEB and also with the International Music Examination Board (IMEB).
  • He is a Fellow of the Trinity College of London.
  • He is a teacher, university lecturer, actor, producer and director which extends from his early years in QLD
  • He was an Inspector of Speech & Drama for the NSW Education Department and State Chairman of Public Speaking and Debating.
  • He is a Board Member and Deputy Chairman of the Sydney Eisteddfod.
  • He served for over thirty years as a Director and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Studies for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
  • He has served on the Board of Directors for the Australian International Conservatorium of Music and is currently a consultant to its Academic Board.
  • He is also a drama consultant to Wesley Institute for the Arts
  • Locally, Noel chairs The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choir Advisory Committee    
His role with schools included advising teachers and coordinating productions throughout NSW as well as developing curriculum and teaching materials.
 
He holds the unique distinction of having been President of both the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW and the Speech and Drama Association of NSW, concurrently.
 
As a performer Noel has appeared as narrator/singer with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Festival Symphony Orchestra and Willoughby Symphony in such classics as Tubby the Tuba, Peter and the Wolf and Carnival of the Animals.
 
He has played lead roles in musical comedy such as White Horse Inn and The Mikado.
 
He is well known for his one-man shows of verse and song from Shakespeare to contemporary writers.
 
He is especially well known for his outstanding interpretations of the works of C J Dennis and Banjo Paterson and the delightfully satiric songs of Noel Coward and Flanders and Swann.
 
In addition to his many professional and advisory roles Noel greatly enjoys teaching and assisting young people to develop their creative and artistic talents.
 
And importantly to us ….. Noel is an active Rotarian of 20 years and has served as a Past President of the Rotary Club of Chatswood where he has been heavily involved.
 
(Rotary District 9685) recently held its annual conference at The Concourse in Chatswood for 650 people ….. organised by Noel (and others) ….. and invited his friend Kamahl to perform at the close.
 
And so, its my distinct pleasure, on behalf of President Dieter and the Rotary Club of Chatswood, that our Club has made a significant donation to The Rotary Foundation in the name of PP Noel Cislowski PHF …… and we would like to honour Noel tonight by awarding him a Sapphire Pin in recognition of his wonderful work for Rotary, our community and the world of music.
 
And whilst something like this special event would normally happen at our Annual Changeover Dinner, President Dieter felt it so important and significant that it should occur tonight.