Mr Alfred Taylor, a West Gosford resident, recently received an award for his service to the performing arts and to the community of Gosford in the Queens’ Birthday Honours list.
Mr Taylor was the director of Youth in Performing Arts from 1992 to 1999 and volunteered from 1992 through to 2013. He has been a life member of Gosford Musical Society from 1987 and has volunteered for a number of positions including management committee, production manager, set builder and performer since 1976.
Mr Taylor has also volunteered at Laycock Street Community Theatre since 1989. When Mr Taylor received the award he said he felt “surprised, certain amount of joy and happiness and excitement. “Also a feeling a humility and why me?” Mr Taylor said that he was aware of who nominated him. “I’ve made some enquiries,” he said.
With the variety of roles Mr Taylor has had over the years, he said he can’t pick out a favourite. “Being on stage is a great experience. “I’ve been in quite a few shows since then [1976], that’s always been an exciting and enjoyable experience,” he said. “Another big element was setting up the youth and performing arts program,” Mr Taylor said.
Gosford West Rotary offered to sponsor the program for youth to perform. “I said, has it been done before? No. “Any ideas on how to do it? No. “Let’s give it a go.” The first show was in 1992 and involved children from high school age group up to 21 years of age.
Though Mr Taylor no longer runs the program, it is still running. “The core of the scheme is still there,” Mr Taylor explained. “The main emphasis I set up is for it to be non-competitive. “I didn’t want any awards for best girl or best boy, the kids that were good at what they did came out on stage and did what they did best,” he said. Mr Taylor is currently one of the managers of Uniting Productions Drama Group which focuses on readings and is held every month.
“We try to feature local playwrights as much as we can,” he said. “Any sort of activities I did became a social life, I was retired and had the time,” Mr Taylor explained. “I’m still involved, not on stage though, I’m too old for that,” he said.
“Every week I go down and help with the making of scenery and design small props. “It’s all good fun.” Since receiving the award, Mr Taylor said that he has had several celebrations. “They’re still going on,” he said. “
I’m not into great celebrations, we just enjoy what happens. “There have been a lot of cards and little things that you can’t help but feel good about.”
Interview, 17 June 2015
Alfred Taylor OAM
Media release, 8 June 2015
Susan Fischer, offi ce of the
Governor General
Victoria Power, journalist