The purpose of the committee is to oversee the running of the society, and fulfil its responsibility as the producers of all Ignatians productions.
The committee, which meets regularly throughout the year, is made up of a President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, Marketing & Advertising Officer, Technical Services Officer, Music Services Officer and four Ordinary Committee Members. Click here to find out more about the people on the committee for 2007-08.
Life Members
In addition to these committee positions, there are also Life Members who are not required to attend, but are welcome at all committee meetings.
Life membership is awarded in recognition of outstanding service to the society. It is not something that is given lightly, and in the 30 year history of Ignatians, only eight life memberships have been awarded.
Sheila Corcoran, the first Life Member, is a fine example of the commitment shown by this special group of individuals. Sheila was the third president of the Ignatians, holding this position for two years, and the first female president. She has performed in over thirty shows, and completed the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. Sheila still attends committee meetings regularly and contributes to the running of Ignatians today.
The Constitution
The Ignatians Committee, and thus the society, is governed by a Constitution. This documents the election procedures and accountability of the Committee and the society, and most importantly defines the society as The Ignatians Incorporated, thus ensuring committee members, or any member of the Society, cannot be held financially responsible for any debt or financial loss. 
Constitution (PDF document).
Life Members
Sheila Corcoran
Ralph Devlin
Rev Fr Leo Flynn SJ
Barbara Foster
Ruth Gabriel
John Smiles
Jan Veacock
Derek Griffin
The role of the President is to provide leadership to the society, represent it publicly, chair its meetings and ensure that the constitution of the society is upheld. Together with the Executive Committee, the President is responsible for setting the direction of the society and implementing strategies associated with that direction.
Vice President (Outgoing President) - Peter Binyon
Peter works as a Principal Planning Officer with the Strategic Management and Performance Branch of Corporate and Executive Services, which provides services to the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Disability Services Queensland. Peter has a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from the University of South Australia and has an extensive background in the human services field, including community development and management roles.
Peter has been singing and performing since he was in primary school and has been undertaking private vocal tuition since 1999. In high school (in Adelaide), he performed in the chorus of Princess Ida and played principal roles in Patience, Yeomen of the Guard, The Mikado and The Sorcerer. He moved to Queensland and appeared in the successful Phantom of the Operation in Mackay 1993, but it wasn't until moving to Brisbane and discovering Ignatians that he really took up performing once more. In 2000 Peter joined Ignatians in the chorus of Pirates of Penzance, as well as understudying the role of the Pirate King. In 2001 he performed in the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof and understudied the role of Fyedka. He also worked on Front of House during Kismet, and most recently performed in the very successful productions of The Mikado followed by The Gondoliers.
Peter has also performed with Queensland Musical Theatre, playing the romantic lead, Ralph Rackstraw in their 2001 production of HMS Pinafore and in 2002 as a member of the chorus and understudy for The Defendant in Trial by Jury.
Vice President - TBA
The role of the Vice Presidents is to provide support and assistance to the President, as well as to the other committee members. If the President is unavailable, one of the Vice Presidents becomes the representative of the President.
Treasurer - Robin Read
The role of the Treasurer is to record and report on the financial transactions of the society.
Robin joined "Ignatians" after being volunteered into a Front of House role in "CATS" but has been involved in community theatre since arriving in Brisbane in the mid 1970's. His occasional ventures on stage have included "Sentimental Bloke"(factory worker) "Oh What a Lovely War"(a British General) and "Trial by Jury"(a juror) and most recently the Ignite Choir. Mostly, Robin's theatre involvement is in administration and part of either the front of house or backstage crew. He is looking forward to his new membership of "Ignatians" and the Choir - and his new role on the committee for 2008.
Secretary - Christine O'Brien
The role of the Secretary is to maintain membership details, track correspondence and arrange and minute committee meetings.
Christine first started performing in musicals in 1987. Her first show with Ignatians was in 1997 when she worked backstage on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Since then she has worked on many Ignatians productions. She was stage manager for The Sentimental Bloke (2000), Fiddler on the Roof (2001), Oklahoma (2001), The Mikado (2003) and Grease (2004). She was Deputy Stage Manager for Les Miserable (2005). She was backstage crew on Brigadoon (1998), The Gilbert and Sullivan Gala (1998) and West Side Story (2006), lighting operator for Pirates of Penzance (2000) and front of house for South Pacific (1999), Into the Woods (2008) and Showstoppers 35th Anniversary Concert (2008).
Christine has also performed, been stage manager, and worked in many other capacities with several theatre companies around Brisbane, including Ocean Theatre Company, Mixed Company, Brisbane Arts Theatre, Queensland Musical Theatre, Savoyards, Twelfth Night Theatre, Act One, Front Row Theatre, Young Actors Company Qld, Centenary Players, Kallangur Community Theatre, Borderline Defamation Productions and Lickety Split.
Outside Ignatians Christine works as a Grants Officer for the Queensland Treasury Department in the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. In her “spare” time she is also a volunteer member of the State Emergency Service (SES). This is her first year on the committee.
Public Relations Officer - Helen Dwyer
The role of the Public Relations Officer is to promote productions and maximise patronage, as well as developing the profile of Ignatians within the community.
Helen joined the Ignatians family in 2006 after retuning back to Australia from an overseas stint. Helen’s first production with Ignatians was CATS, where she was (affectionately known as) Natasha’s slave (Assistant Production Manager). Helen joined the Ignatians Committee mid-way during the CATS production, in 2007.
Helen’s love the theatre came from years staying up late watching musicals and movies. As a child, Helen was incredibly shy and suffered from terrible bouts of stage fright. To overcome this, Helen’s parents made her take drama as an elective subject at school – while a star wasn’t born, a theatre techie was! To this day, Helen still can’t sing or act to save her life (she sings like a drowning cat and is a terrible tree!) but she’s a great techie.
Helen’s love of the theatre took her to university where she graduated with a BA Drama – major in Technical Production & Management at QUT. Helen’s theatrical journey over the last 20 years has been one of passion and fun. It has taken her overseas and locally. Helen is now working at QUT in the Teaching and Learning Support Services as the Program and Events Coordinator. Her current ongoing studies include Cert IV in Project Management qualifications, Diploma in Business – Frontline Management, and working through her Masters in Business, with a major in Event Marketing & Management.
Helen’s ‘other’ life also involves Girl Guides. Helen is actively involved with working with both youth and adults as a leader and being a member on the following - State Training Team, State Marketing Team, State Council and State Executive (Helen clearly doesn’t have any children of her own – husband and housemate not included!).
Marketing and Advertising Officer - Matt de Plater
The role of the Marketing and Advertising Officer is to promote productions to maximise patronage; to place and seek advertising; to seek sponsorship; and to create, produce and distribute promotional material.
Matt discovered his interest in musical theatre by accident, when press-ganged to play one of the Hitler Youth in the Ignatians production of Sound of Music (2003). Since then he has remained enthusiastic, being involved in Grease (2004), Footloose (2004), West Side Story (2006), Cats (2006/7) and the Showstoppers Concerts (2006 & 2007). Matt has an interest both on stage and on the production side of shows.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (International Relation/Asian Politics) both from the University of Queensland, and works as a Graduate Law Clerk with the law firm DLA Phillips Fox.
Technical Services Officer - Rob Butterworth
The role of the Technical Services Officer is to coordinate the construction, hire, use and management of all costumes, props, sets and lights that are involved in an Ignatians production. This includes looking after a number of tools and matierials owned by the society that contribute to building sets and costumes. The Technical Services Officer liaises closely with the set and costume designers to assist them in realising their designs within a set budget.
Music Services Officer - Harmony Lentz
The role of the Music Services Officer is to coordinate all things musical for the Society, including instrumentatlists, repetiteurs, orchestra, the choir, vocal coaching etc.
Harmony has been involved with Ignatians on and off for a while now. She was awarded Ignatian of the Year for 2007.
Her first involvement was with the backstage crew for Brigadoon in 1998 and then in the chorus for The Gilbert and Sullivan Gala later that year. After returning from two years teaching in Cairns, she joined the cast of Fiddler on the Roof in 2001, where she was not only part of the chorus but also the Fiddler, using her violin skills on the stage for Ignatians. Since then, she has been Musical Director and conductor for Footloose (2004), Les Miserables (2005), and Musical Director for West Side Story (2006), Cats (2007) and Showstoppers (2007). She also directs Ignite.
When she is not being an Ignatian, Harmony teaches string instruments to children and adults through her home business, Strings with Harmony in Kenmore and is a busy mum for her daughter, Phoebe. She has a Bachelor of Music Education (Hons) from the University of Queensland and has extensive experience as a classroom music teacher, choral director and string teacher. She has conducted and performed with community orchestras and choirs in Brisbane and Cairns and started the Ignatians Choir at the end of 2005. 2008 will be Harmony's fourth year on the Ignatians Committee.
Committee Member - Alice Barbery
Alice Joined Ignatians in 2005 when she auditioned for Les Miserables. Having not performed in over 10 years and was delighted not only to cast in the show but to be cast as Fantine. Alice was also lucky enough to perform in the ensemble in West Side Story, take part in both Showstoppers concerts as well as portray the “Memory” singing old cat, Grisabella in CATS. She has been a member of the committee since 2006.
Alice had performed in over 30 shows through high school and university, but her work commitments as a senior member of national retail companies included frequent travel, so she was unable to continue to enjoy these pursuits. Oddly enough she now works for an airline is home much more often! Alice designs and facilitates training programs for the Cabin Crew leadership team in Virgin Blue, a job she loves.
Alice would like to encourage anyone with a love of theatre to get involved. Be it on stage or off stage, there is nothing as exciting as live theatre and keeping groups like Ignatians going is not only good for the individuals involved, but the community at large. There are very few opportunities for talented people with professional work lives to take part in high quality theatre experiences.
Committee Member - Pat Foley
Pat joined Ignatians in July 2000, after arriving in OZ less than 3 months earlier from the Emerald Isle. Looking for a new experience he took part in "Pirates" in October 2000, his first musical. He was also in the chorus of "Oklahoma" in 2001.
Pat has remained a member since then supporting the society by attending all shows. In the latter half of 2003, Pat expressed an interest to get more involved and given his accounting background was an obvious choice to take over from Kate Andrew, who for personal reasons relinguished the Treasurers position in February 2004.
Pat has been Treasurer since then and is enjoying this challenging but rewarding position
Committee Member - Bryn Griffiths
Bryn joined Ignatians in June 2007 having not performed since 1989 when Bryn was enrolled in a Drama major whilst at Uni. Back then, playing rugby and frequenting pubs took precedence over studying Drama which was left behind.
Bryn grew up playing various roles in school G&S productions, college musicals and also captained his colleges’ theatre sports team whilst completing his degree. Since then, Bryn’s career in advertising has seen him work in the Account Service side of the business in Sydney, London, Bristol and now Brisbane where he owns his own Advertising Agency specialising in Branding Identity and Employee marketing for small to medium enterprise.
The belief that advertising work is a performance every day has helped Bryn to be confident enough to jump back on stage after such a long absence. Organising many and varied marketing and advertising campaigns over the last 15 years brings much knowledge in being able to assist in producing shows for Ignatians and Bryn is looking forward to assisting where he is needed.
Committee Member - Duncan Watson
Duncan is a relatively recent addition to the Ignatians family.
He was a committed singer and performer through high school, and played the title role in his school’s production of The Wiz. In the following years these passions lapsed for some time; but there was always a vague feeling that he should get back into it one of these days.
He spent much of 2004-2006 doing the travel thing – working with the Judicial Service of Ghana, studying in England, and doing aid work in a Costa Rican cloud forest –before returning to Australia with renewed vigour (and a three month gap to fill between uni and work). He played Chino in the Ignatians production of West Side Story (2006), and sang in the first Ignatians Showstoppers concert (2006). Work commitments – and an utter inability to dance – convinced Duncan that the booth was the place for him in CATS (2007). He was a soloist and choir member in Showstoppers 2007.
Duncan holds a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in psychology and international relations) and a Bachelor of Laws (with First Class Honours), both from the University of Queensland. Having spent 18 months as an associate to a Supreme Court judge, he will start work as a solicitor in February 2008. This is his second year on the committee.
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