During 2021 a group of long-time WollCon students decided to form The Friends of Wollongong Community Music (FoWCM for short).

This unincorporated association aims to support community music programmes and associated activities in the Illawarra region, focussed on community music-making by amateur ensembles across all ages. 

FoWCM has been registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and as such seeks to raise and source funds that will enhance the making of music in ensembles and groups and facilitate performances within the Illawarra community. To date funds have been raised via collection of entry donations to events staged by FoWCM and successful submissions to granting bodies, such as Wollongong City Council and Create NSW.

Membership of FoWCM is free, and open to members and friends/relatives of amateur music ensembles in our community.

FoWCM has an Organising Committee which meets at least four times a year. It is comprised of the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and a minimum  of 3 other people. All Committee members are registered members of FoWCM; indeed, to be elected to the Organising Committee all nominees need to be registered prior to election. Office-bearers are elected for 12 month terms. 

The current Organising Committee is as follows:-

Neil Cairns - Chair (ncairns53@gmail.com)

Rod Cawsey - Secretary

Greg Costello - Financial Officer

CathDavid Curtis, Phil Ayrton, Keith Horton & Erno Van Halpen - Committee Members

Since its inception in November 2021 FoWCM has been able to financially support the establishment of several new ensembles, for example, Killalea Strings Orchestra; the staging of some events as part of the annual Honk!Oz Festivals of Street Music, and presentation of numerous performances by a range of local music ensembles.