General News
16 April, 2025
Arts council reaches milestone year
Horsham Arts Council (HAC) has always been a place where performers from across the Wimmera can find comfort and a sense of belonging.
Horsham Arts Council (HAC) has always been a place where performers from across the Wimmera can find comfort and a sense of belonging.
For the past 60 years, HAC has been a prominent part in the Wimmera's performing arts industry with cast, crew and committee members coming from far and wide across the region to participate.
The group was established in 1965 after three groups, including Horsham Theatre Group, amalgamated to create what is now known as HAC.
They ran the old theatre (now the cinema), where they built sets and costumes and rehearsed on the raised stage until they shifted to a venue located in Hamilton Street, Horsham.
The group purchased its own home in Old Hamilton Road, Horsham, in 2002, originally a wool store.
Shows kicked off in 1966 with four different productions: 'The Importance of Being Earnest', 'A Marriage has been Arranged Sganarelle', 'The Gondoliers' and 'Auntie Mame'.
In 1967, six shows were presented throughout the year, and this number seemed to increase year on year, with eight shows in 1969.
Life member Jack Janetzki, from Natimuk, has been involved with HAC since 1971 when he drove the young children involved to and from rehearsals for the production of 'Oliver' in what he described as a "children's taxi service".
His first performance with HAC was in 1972 with a small role in 'Babes in the Wood'.
Mr Janetzki then left and joined Arapiles Community Theatre (ACT) before returning to HAC in 1991 thanks to the persuasion of local members.
He said Margaret Woodford from Natimuk recruited him that year to play Luther Billis in 'South Pacific', no audition necessary.
"Ninety per cent of the time I didn't have to audition for a role – it was just handed to me," he said.
"People were picked before the audition and they would only audition if they needed more than one person."
He said his best role was Thenardier, the scumbug inkeeper, in 'Les Miserables' in 1994.
"I was given the role and I had no idea what it was," he said.
"But it was the best role.
"Most of the roles I played were fun-loving characters."
Mr Janetzki was made a life member in 2010 and said "It's been great".
"It definitely gives you confidence," he said.
"I got on with everyone and the members who joined when I did in the early 1970s are still involved today.
"It's just another part of the family."
Jan Morris has also been with HAC since 1987 and was awarded life membership in 2001.
Ms Morris and her late husband Richard Morris moved to Natimuk from South Australia in 1979, initially participating in ACT for 10 years.
Ms Morris' first show with HAC was in 1987 when they presented 'Play On', the only production for the year.
"In 1990 there were only a few members so we were really struggling," she said.
"We had no money at all.
"Richard and I wanted to do 'Grease', which turned out to be a fabulous show."
To make the dream a reality, Mr Morris paid for all royalties out of his own pocket.
Thankfully, this was paid back once the successful season was over.
"It made around $20,000," she said.
Even though Ms Morris isn't involved in HAC as she previously was for a number of years, she still keeps track of the company.
"It's great fun," she said.
"I love it and it's great to see it still happening.
"I feel like they're my children; it's a family feel.
"Everyone's all so passionate and doing great work.
"There's so much history to it."
Heading into its 60th year, HAC is led by president Nick Wilson, vice-president James Henwood secretary Faye Johns and treasurer Simon Dandy.
Debbie Boutcher, Erin Boutcher, Loucas Vettos, Alayna Toporzisek, Kayla Wilson, Ian Bennett, Sandy Wills and Heath Johns are on the general committee.
The life members of HAC are Ritchie Hobbs* (1972), Ron Shepherd* (1976), Colin Mills (1987), Barbara Mills (1987), Ona Whiteside* (1993), Shirley Mewett (1993), Avid Denholm (1993), Richard Morris* (2001), Jan Morris (2001), Gerry Nicholls (2001), Ben Bradshaw (2002), Laurie Deale*(2005), Dawn Deale (2005), Stuart Johns (2007), Sandra Wills (2007), Debbie Boutcher (2010), Jack Janetzki (2010), Lynne McKenzie (2010), Jenny Rafter (2012), Don Mitchell (2012), Libby Brennan (2016), Ronnie Thomas (2016), Jessica Wilson (2019), Simon Dandy (2019), Faye Johns (2024) and Colin Kreymborg (2024).
This year's production is 'The Last 10 Years', bringing back iconic past performances from the past decade.
* Deceased
