Mrs Fuller has resigned as chair of its board.
Stepping up into the role will be Ray Davy, who is based in Balranald and has substantial experience in economic development in regional Australia.
Mrs Fuller’s commitment to musical education began in the early 1980s, when the conservatorium started as the Deniliquin/Finley Instrumental Tuition Program.
She became a member of its management committee, the music camp committee and the concert committee, later joining the board.
Mrs Fuller was integral with the organisation becoming a conservatorium, which was a huge achievement in a small town.
Her own love of music began when she was seven.
She was fortunate enough to have parents who nurtured her interests, and piano was one of them.
Raising her own family in Deniliquin, Mrs Fuller was keen to ensure that her children and the children in the community had the same opportunities she had growing up.
This remains very much part of the core values of South West Music to this day.
Over the years Mrs Fuller has been an essential part of the development seen at the conservatorium.
In the 1980s the organisation was set up for students from the Victorian College of Arts to provide tuition on a fortnightly basis.
Student numbers were less than 100.
Today, SWM teachers provided music education to up to 900 students in towns stretching from Barham to Hillston, and to Berrigan.
It delivers lessons face-to-face and with the help of technology can deliver teaching online.
It allows SWM to reach remote communities, and also allowed for tuition to continue through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year SWM was successful in obtaining $4.3 million in funding from Create NSW to purchase and refurbish its home in Cressy St, Deniliquin into a state of the art, fit for purpose music facility.
Mrs Fuller said she has many fond memories of her experiences with the conservatorium.
She spoke about the joy young people display when they are performing and how “heart warming” it is to see them achieve as a result of all of their hard work.
A standout memory was when legendary Aussie musician James Morrison gave an impromptu performance during a show which included two of his sons.
“This was such a generous and thrilling gesture on his part and a treat for all in attendance,” Mrs Fuller said.
The annual concert series has also been dear to Mrs Fuller’s heart.
She always had a lot of fun being part of that group of people who all shared the satisfaction of bringing interesting, top-class performers to the region.
When asked about the future of South West Music, Mrs Fuller said she would like to see continued growth and delivery of music education into a larger number of towns surrounding Deniliquin.
“There is so much more we can achieve together,” she said.
“Music is the perfect conduit for nurturing our wellbeing and building stronger communities.”
An event to celebrate Mrs Fuller’s time with SWM is being planned for February next year.
“The team at South West Music would like to sincerely thank Cheryl for her years of dedication and service,” events and communications manager Gemma Rennie said.
“Her commitment and loyalty to the organisation has been unwavering.
“She will be missed by many both personally and professionally.”
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