In February 2001, eight ladies from Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale with a passion for performing responded to a request to help establish a theatrical group in the area. These ladies – Norma Addison, Doreen Stewart, Olive Deimos, Cynthia Hughes, Ellen Bourke, Lizzie Coyne, Rosie Cowell and Trish Phyland – each contributed $50 and the theatre group, known initially as “Follies by the Sea”, was born. They were each awarded Life Membership in November 2011, at our 10th Year Birthday celebration.
A committee was formed and sought and received initial grants from the Borough of Queenscliffe and the Queenscliffe Community Market, which helped to get the first show ‘on the road’. The Queenscliff Senior Citizen’s Club donated costumes and provided wardrobe and dressing room space. This became our home for rehearsals and most of our productions. In a very short time, our theatre group was on its way to becoming a regional identity.
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Back row L to R - Doreen Stewart, Ellen Bourke, Cynthia Hughes, Rosie Cowell, Lizzie Coyne
Front row L to R – Norma Addison, Olive Deimos, Meg
Gillian
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Patron
Val Lawrence is the Patron of the Queenscliffe Lighthouse Theatre Group and has maintained this position since 2001. Val was made a Life Member in 2022.
Life Members
Val Lawrence is the Patron of the Queenscliffe Lighthouse Theatre Group and has maintained this position since 2001. Val was made a Life Member in 2022.
Life Members
People recently awarded Life Membership and added to our QLTG honour board:
2022 Val Lawrence
Debbie Fraser
Laura Perry
Ian Royce
Ian Royce
2021 Lyn Houldcroft
Nicole Hickman
Laura Perry receives her life membership from President Terry Fogg
at the 2022 AGM in March. Debbie Fraser (online) and Val Lawrence
(not present) were also honoured.
21st birthday celebrations
QLTG celebrated its 21st birthday in August 2022 with a reunion gathering, great music and lots of shared memories. Read the full report in our blog post.
Rehearsal Pianist
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Coyne was a founder of QLTG and the group's rehearsal pianist until her retirement from live performances following "Return to Casting Capers" in 2015. Lizzie was Musical Director for a number of QLTG shows and also provided the recorded underscore for "Calendar Girls" in 2016.
Wardrobe
Nancy Allbutt served on the QLTG committee for many years, mostly as Treasurer. Nan’s main forte, however, was being our Wardrobe Mistress. No matter what show was in production, be it a smaller show or one of our larger productions such as King and I or Sound of Music, the director would only have to say what was required for costumes and Nan would provide. It never ceased to amaze how Nan would know exactly what was in Wardrobe and who had worn a particular garment and in what show. In later years, Nan also became an on-stage identity and excelled in her new ‘career’. Her last stage performance was in Return to Casting Capers in May 2015 again as one of the ‘panel girls’ just five months before she passed away on October 7th 2015. Nancy's valued input is sincerely missed.
Gil Allbutt Lighthouse Awards
Gil has been a member since 2002 and has played percussion for many of our shows. He personally creates each lighthouse trophy, and following many QLTG shows has presented them to members he believes are worthy recipients.
Virtual Oscar Nominations
The highly respected independent website Entertainment Geelong reviews every show in the region, and presents annual Virtual Oscar awards.
QLTG nominations include:
Borough of Queenscliffe Awards
We continue to receive strong support from our local council, including these awards recognising the valuable role played by QLTG in our area.
Success Stories
Our productions are a great environment for developing or maintaining amateur theatre skills. You may recognise some current or past QLTG names, from their work elsewhere.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Coyne was a founder of QLTG and the group's rehearsal pianist until her retirement from live performances following "Return to Casting Capers" in 2015. Lizzie was Musical Director for a number of QLTG shows and also provided the recorded underscore for "Calendar Girls" in 2016.
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| Lizzie Coyne - Rehearsal Pianist |
Wardrobe
Nancy Allbutt served on the QLTG committee for many years, mostly as Treasurer. Nan’s main forte, however, was being our Wardrobe Mistress. No matter what show was in production, be it a smaller show or one of our larger productions such as King and I or Sound of Music, the director would only have to say what was required for costumes and Nan would provide. It never ceased to amaze how Nan would know exactly what was in Wardrobe and who had worn a particular garment and in what show. In later years, Nan also became an on-stage identity and excelled in her new ‘career’. Her last stage performance was in Return to Casting Capers in May 2015 again as one of the ‘panel girls’ just five months before she passed away on October 7th 2015. Nancy's valued input is sincerely missed.
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| Nan Allbutt |
Gil Allbutt Lighthouse Awards
Gil has been a member since 2002 and has played percussion for many of our shows. He personally creates each lighthouse trophy, and following many QLTG shows has presented them to members he believes are worthy recipients.
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| Gil Allbutt | Lighthouse Awards |
Virtual Oscar Nominations
The highly respected independent website Entertainment Geelong reviews every show in the region, and presents annual Virtual Oscar awards.
QLTG nominations include:
- Best Lead Female Actor (non-musical) - Caity Ellett - Secret Bridesmaids' Business - 2017
- Best Supporting Female Actor - Nicole Hickman - The King and I - 2011
- Best Supporting Female Actor - Tara Vagg - The King and I - 2011
- Most Innovative Feature - Justine Bratanavicius "Small House Ballet" - The King and I - 2011
- Most Refreshing Newcomer - William Reed - The King and I - 2011
Borough of Queenscliffe Awards
We continue to receive strong support from our local council, including these awards recognising the valuable role played by QLTG in our area.
- 2004 Community Service of the Year - Queenscliffe Lighthouse Theatre Group
- 2010 Community Event of the Year - Fort Queenscliff 150th
- 2023 Citizen of the Year - Lyn Houldcroft - secretary QLTG and many other community involvements
Success Stories
Our productions are a great environment for developing or maintaining amateur theatre skills. You may recognise some current or past QLTG names, from their work elsewhere.
- Edwina Royce
- William Reed
- Tara Vagg
- Melinda Hughes
- Nicole Hickman
- Jennifer Stirk
- Mantelli Family
- Brianna Giles
- Ian Royce
- Hannah Petrie-Allbutt
- Adelle Gregory
- Simon Thorne
- John McCarthy
- Dan Eastwood
