Trevor Daley is a household name in Southland’s entertainment circles. Since the 1970s, he has dedicated countless hours to supporting the community; organising events and ensuring musicians are celebrated. 

President of the Southland Musicians’ Club since 1976, Trevor has also served on the ICC’s Creative Communities Committee and the advisory committee for the Civic Theatre Artists’ Corner. He founded the Southland Entertainer of the Year, the Southland Music Awards, the Southland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Southland Guitar Legends event. The Backwaters Trust and Cancer Society’s Relay for Life have also benefited from his expertise.

Trevor has been vital in encouraging musicians and his efforts have fostered a thriving music scene, benefiting the community for decades.  Trevor is the kind of person who just gets on with things and while a skilled musician himself, he is happy to let others take the limelight.

In 2015, Trevor was aptly honoured as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

With kindness, encouragement and dedication for decades, The Southland’s entertainment scene has been greatly enriched by Trevor Daley.

Riversdale Arts Incorporated has actively facilitated and promoted the arts, and arts education, for 51 years, ensuring Southlanders enjoy the diverse artwork being created throughout New Zealand.  Their annual exhibition, is an eight day event, which is seen as a calendar highlight by many New Zealand artists. It draws in the support of much of the local community – including the local school, which creates and runs a café for visitors throughout the season.

The society also guides budding local artists in perfecting their craft.  Hosting various workshops and classes throughout the year, encourages and enables Southerners to try their hand at every art genre.

Collaborations such as the What Lifts You project, with local schools, and the commissioning of a documentary film to celebrate their 50^th anniversary,  further cements the  connection Riversdale Arts has with the community.

Creating a legacy is a cornerstone for Riversdale Arts. Recently they commissioned and gifted an artwork to the community. Odelle Morshius’s sculpture, entitled  “Community – Hapori” comprising a grouping of nine people, acknowledges the contributions that members of Riversdale Arts have made throughout the years.   

Riversdale Arts: A lifelong, 50 plus years of commitment to the arts.

All the world’s a stage – and local legend Jonathan Tucker has nurtured a love for the dramatic arts in the south for more than 60 years, directing well over 100 productions.

As a teacher at James Hargest College for more than 50 years, Jonathan directed at least one play every year, and continued to do so for years past his retirement. His passion for theatre has positively impacted and inspired hundreds of students.

Jonathan chose to celebrate James Hargest’s 50^th jubilee, by immortalising Brigadier James Hargest in a production. After three years’ researching and writing, Repertory produced it in 2009, with Jonathan again in the director’s chair. The story is now a unique piece of Southland’s history.

Beyond school, Jonathan has been involved with Repertory Invercargill, Invercargill Operatic Society (now Invercargill Musical Theatre), and Shakespeare in the Park. His relationship with Repertory began in 1963 as an actor, but it wasn’t long before he found his true calling in the director’s chair. Since 1974, he has directed at least one play every year.

Jonathan has served as President, committee member, is a Lifetime Member, and the current Patron of Repertory Invercargill.His relationship with Shakespeare in the Park, includes cameo performances and mentoring as patron.

Jonathan’s dedication to and impact on theatre has been acknowledged by a Queen’s Service medal and a Paul Harris Fellowship award, from Rotary.

Jonathan Tucker remains a rare and precious gem in Southland’s Theatre crown.

Much more than a group or club, Invercargill Musical Theatre Company is a home to many. Celebrating its 50th year jubilee in 2023, Invercargill Musical Theatre has for the past five decades brought a plethora of entertainment to Southland audiences. It is seen as a place pivotal to recognising and nurturing the talents of Southland’s performing artists.

The company draws together creative teams, performers, technical crew, and a tireless army of behind-the-scenes volunteers to produce top-quality musical theatre productions year after year. An untold number of voluntary hours are dedicated to ensuring each show achieves a high standard of excellence.

IMT shows are a significant event on Invercargill’s arts calendar, and undoubtedly add vibrancy to the community. Each show offers an invaluable experience for locals who learn and grow from experienced theatre practitioners.

Recently, youth productions have been added to IMT’s repertoire, notably, Spongebob Jnr in March of this year.  These productions will enable the next generation of Southlanders to grow and develop their stagecraft skills for the future.

The Invercargill Musical Theatre Company has been instrumental in the lifeblood of the performing arts community of Southland.

Helen Nicoll was the first full-time employee for the Anderson Park Art Gallery (now the Invercargill Public Art Gallery), in 1987. She quickly became extremely knowledgeable about New Zealand’s visual arts history and the contemporary art scene, developing management and curatorial skills.

When gallery director John Husband retired, Helen took on the reins as Director until her own retirement in 2013.

Helen developed the first digital records for the society’s substantial collection, and researched the biographies of many of the artists represented within it. Her meticulous documentation forms the foundation of the organisation’s current records.

Helen brought best case practice to the gallery’s operations, working with volunteers and dedicating many hours as a sole staff member at the gallery.

Strong relationships were built with local and guest artists and many significant works were gifted to the collection as a result of these connections.

A natural talent for curation, as well as a unique style, allowed Helen to really made her mark on Anderson Park Art Gallery and The annual Spring Exhibition was her tour de force. Every artwork was displayed beautifully, and the event was a highlight on the arts calendar for many years.

Helen Nicoll’s strong advocacy for the arts and her dedication to the IPAG collection has left a legacy that she should feel extremely proud of.