Troubadour Central Coast, AGM 2024-25
Presidents Report
28 October 2025, Everglades Club, Woy Woy
Michael Fine, President
The past year proved to be another successful year for Troubadour Folk. Over the year we mounted 14 major concerts, with a total ticket sales of 1,276. Despite closing down over January we held more than one concert a month, with an average audience of over 90. The concerts, however, were never average. They ranged in size and make up of the audience they attracted, in the number and fame of the different performers and type of music performed. But while there was a deliberately diverse program, they all shared that hard to define but highly sought after characteristic of providing our members and other audience members with what we might call a truly moving experience. The smallest event was a house concert with 30 people, the largest looked like the magnificent performance by Highly Strung in July, which sold 191 tickets. But that record was broken within six months, when the Bushwackers had an audience of 218. Over we held the year four house concerts in total, their ease of setting up giving us flexibility to respond to more of the requests from touring artists to perform at the Troubadour.
Troubadour Folk’s Monthly Concert Program 2024-25 (from the Treasurer’s Report)
| Date | Performers | Attendance* | |
| Sunday, 28 July 2024 | Highly Strung Rock Orchestra | 191 | |
| Saturday, 24 August 2024 | Cap in Hand + Craig Sinclair | 67 | |
| Saturday, 28 September 2024 | Rare Treats + Jac n Jel n Mel n Wal | 60 | |
| Saturday, 26 October 2024 | Mimosa | 107 | |
| Sunday, 1 December 2024 | Bushwackers | 218 | |
| Saturday, 14 December 2024 | Troubadour Xmas Celebration | 71 | |
| Wednesday, 22 January 2025 | Those Folk {Houseconcert] | 30 | |
| Wednesday, 5 February 2025 | Steve Turner {Houseconcert] | 37 | |
| Sunday, 23 February 2025 | Enda Kenny | 99 | |
| Wednesday, 12 March 2025 | Katie Spencer + Ivona Rose {Houseconcert] | 26 | |
| Sunday, 23 March 2025 | Kejaffi + Verve Choir | 140 | |
| Friday, 28 March 2025 | Christine Collister & Michael Fix {Houseconcert] | 40 | |
| Sunday, 25 May 2025 | Warren Faye + Band | 102 | |
| Sunday, 29 June 2025 | Deziah and Date | 88 | |
- Audience figures do not include unpaid guests and volunteers.
The Club Performers Concerts also continue to be successful and popular, with both the number of attendees, both performers and audience, and quality of performers at the monthly event, being particularly strong in early 2025. As the treasurer’s report makes clear the events have also proven to be financially successful, as the inclusion of the Troubadour Club’s performers in the annual Empire Bay Fair has again made very clear.
Sessions have continued to be popular, with an average of ten people attending each month. However, with attendance being a little erratic, it does not seem to be the right conditions to extend the program to twice a month at present.
The Folk Club’s favourable financial circumstances have enabled us to expand in other directions. Importantly, we have increased our donations to Mary Mac’s, providing $3,000 in total over the past year. In addition, we have commenced a monthly program of courtyard performances, for which Mary O’Mahony has taken on responsibility. To date the performances have been both enjoyable to present and enthusiastically received by those who receive support from the service.
Over the past year the club has benefitted from the warm hearted support provided by the Everglades Club, as they have waved fees for hire of halls. This has proven very important in supporting the club, allowing us to pay performers more generously than in the past, as well as enabling us to extend our financial contributions to others.
Our sound team –Mike Madden, Jeff Wille and Neil Winters, have made some significant purchases of quality sound production equipment over the past year, which they have been able to put to good use. It is clear to our audiences that they have attained a level of mastery of high quality sound. In the process they have helped the club gain a well earned reputation for producing great sound according to the comments we have received from a number of our most demanding performers.
The success of the Folk Club remains a labour of love. The dedication and work of our accomplished but unpaid volunteer committee is truly remarkable. Ina Fine, our treasurer has again been booking venues, placing advertisements, contacting artists and doing so much essential administration and financial management. Indispensable. MaryAnne Howland, our secretary has also made a remarkable contribution, managing the monthly club performers nights along with Mike Madden and Jeff Wille. Bill Young, too, has put his graphic designer skills to good use through the preparation of monthly posters, and shown us also glimpses of his extensive literary flair through the preparation of a number of great press releases over the past months.
I also wish to thank all others on our committee, namely Mary O’Mahony and Michael O’Mahony our Public Officer, who contribute their energy, ideas and inspiration and make a difference in so many ways, and to Fiona Galea for her continuing help with the supper at the Club Performers events in Empire Bay. Finally, I thank all our members and audiences for their support and contributions throughout this year.
As this annual report shows, our finances, membership and above all, our strong and dedicated committee and loyal membership and audience, leave us well prepared for the challenges we face in continuing to develop our beloved Troubadour Folk and Acoustic Music Club to serve the Central Coast over the coming years.
Signed ______________________ Michael Fine, President
Dated _______________________ 28 October, 2025
Troubadour Central Coast Incorporated
Committee 2024-25 (formal members set at 7
- President: Michael Fine (MC, Bookings Manager, Website, Facebook page)
- Vice President: Mary O’Mahony
- Secretary: MaryAnne Howland (Minutes, records, Performers’ Night Mgt, Door manager)
- Treasurer: Ina Fine (Accounts and finances; Door manager)
- Jeff Wille (Sound team)
- Mike Madden (Sound team)
- Bill Young (Publicity team; Facebook page)
Michael O’Mahony (Public Officer, non-committee)
Neil Winters – Sound team support
Gail Brinkerhoff – Associate member
Sandy Rudman – Associate member
Other than the executive roles of the committee, it is not necessary to be a member of committee to take on a responsibility within the club,.