Our Story

Awkwardstra Geelong Incorporated was founded in September 2022 with a simple idea: to create a community orchestra in Geelong that welcomes all musicians aged 17 and over—no matter their skill level. Since then, our vision has grown. We're committed to supporting every musician who wants to be part of the group, even if there are challenges in the way. These might be financial, transport, physical, cultural, or psychological barriers. Whatever the obstacle, we'll work alongside musicians to help overcome it—because everyone deserves the chance to experience the joy of making music together.

Our Values

At Awkwardstra Geelong, our values guide everything we do—and we make sure they're lived every day. We regularly check in with our members to keep ourselves accountable and true to what matters most.

Our values are simple:

  • We welcome, value, and respect each other
  • We're part of something bigger than ourselves
  • We play music for the joy of it
  • We support learning, celebrating progress over perfection

The Team

Awkwardstra Geelong is run by a small committee, assisted by many volunteers.

Awkwardstra Committee 2026
2026 Awkwardstra Geelong Committee: Katherine Mcdonald (Committee Member), Talina Fulwell (Secretary), Joel Carnegie (Musical Director), Lauren Carnegie (Vice President) and Scott Popovic (President and Treasurer)
Photograph by Alan Barber