If Trump wins, which is sadly becoming more likely, what lessons can Australia take from this? Populists like Trump thrive on issues like institutionalised inequality'. If people loose hope in democratic institutions then they turn to populists like Trump.

One thing I took away from The Georgy awards last night was the talent displayed by young people in that region. The exerts they performed from their shows were wonderful and I am sure some of them have very bright careers in Theatre. They obviously have strong school based performing arts programs in place, and it showed. What else I took away from the night and my reflections after was how proud I was and still am of the team of young people who worked with me on Kid Stakes. Ayshia and Oscar who ran the lighting and sound and the youngest member Jasper who played an important role in the stage crew. They all are as talented in their areas as any and in spite of not having the same opportunities as those who performed last night are as passionate about the performing arts as anybody I have seen in my forty plus year involvement.

I thought after we spent seven long years busting a gut to get the Performing Arts Centre built we would be able to partner with and support secondary school based performing arts in Mansfield but alas that is no longer the case. So it looks like MMuDS will need to step up to support our communities young people. We have done it in the past, I am an product of that, and we can do it again. I am confident that we have a group of younger committee members who also feel passionate about creating opportunities. This post was not a whinge. It is a half glass full post. Achieving this would be the best award of all.

I was really pleased last night to see that a Theatre company had put on "Into The Woods" a Stephen Sondheim musical. That musical brings back so many memories for me and as the young lady, who played the Bakers Wife, sang I could not help thinking back to our production of it. I had wanted to Direct it for years and finally in 2010 the opportunity arrived. Last night however the strongest memory was off the privilege I had to collaborate with my friend and fellow Life member David Parsons. Although David was battling health issues he put up his hand to be Musical Director and like he always did he gave it one homered and ten percent. Those who know the show will understand that it's probably over eighty percent music and twenty percent dialogue. David stood night after night in the Orchestra pit conducting. At the end of each performance his arm would be so sore but yet he was back the next night. Into The Woods would be David Last active role in MMuDS and I feel blessed we were able to work together. Last night as The Bakers Wife sang my eyes got a little moist. I'm sure it was just the Hay Fever I have been suffering from. I am also sure David was looking down smiling and thinking "Well it took you long enough to catch up to MMuDS"

Putting your hand up to Direct a play can be the most rewarding nerve racking experience possible even for a person who has appeared on stage in many productions. This is particularly true when you are directing a play for community theatre. Community theatre has unique challenges but equally it can be the most rewarding. In directing you take a collective as well as a personal journey of discovery. You learn a lot about yourself as well as others. You need to build trust in those who you are directing because they are the ones who are on stage sometimes feeling very vulnerable in front of an audience. As I said community theatre throws up challenges not faced in the professional ranks and as director you need to be aware but not alarmed. you also need to be passionate about what you are doing because if you are not then how can you possible expect your cast and crew to be. This post should not be seen as an attempt to write a directing manual because frankly every production is different and requires the director to be nimble but more it is my experience interwoven with some principles that if you are considering directing may assist you in your theatrical and personal journey.

It is with much sadness that we learned of the passing of MMuDS Life Member Bill McDonagh. Bill’s involvement in the performing arts started before MMuDS was founded but it was within MMuDS that his influence was strongest. Bill was involved in almost all elements. He was a performer who could also be seen up a tall ladder setting lights or setting up microphones. He built sets and in fact won a ZONTA award for his Sweeney Todd set while also being its Director. Bill also spent many years on the MMuDS committee and served several terms as MMuDS President. There were in fact very few things Bill did not do when it came to his years in MMuDS.