Month: March 2017

Committee Member – Lisa Crouch
By Kerri Lacey

Committee Member – Lisa Crouch

Lisa Crouch is considered by her fans and peers to be one of the most unique “Powerhouse” entertainers in the industry. She has an amazing vocal style, energy to burn and a natural, infectious sense of humour. Lisa is incredibly down to earth and it is this part of her personality that audiences love.  Lisa began her career as a classical singer at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music and has gone on to perform in musical theatre, cabaret shows, jingles, and cruise liners. She has toured nationally and internationally with her solo cabaret show.  Lisa is one of Australia’s finest female vocal entertainers and her outstanding talent has been recognised by the Entertainment Industry at a variety of events. Lisa is a multi-award winning entertainer who regularly performs her production show “Powerhouse Divas” and her new show, “Experience the Divine – An Evening with Bette Midler”.  She also performs with her six piece retro band “Dig This” and her musical duo “Just Jammin”.

Despite Lisa’s busy schedule, she still finds time to be an active member of ALVA. Since joining in 2004, Lisa went from committee member to Vice President fairly quickly. She loves to help and you will often find her doing everything from picking up tables to welcoming guests at a function. Lisa can be relied upon to help in any situation. She was Vice President from 2006 – 2025, briefly stepping down to focus on family. In 2026, Lisa rejoined the committee and is looking forward to continuing her support of this charity.

Committee Member – Merredene Hall
By Kerri Lacey

Committee Member – Merredene Hall

Merredene Hall has long been a quiet yet steadfast supporter of the Australian live entertainment industry. A career librarian by profession, her peaceful world was forever changed when she became the partner of beloved ALVA bloke and entertainer Marty Morton, with whom she shared over 20 years.

Merredene stood by Marty through the highs of show business and the challenges of his cancer journey, caring for him with unwavering love and devotion until his passing in 2024.

Though naturally reserved, Merredene is a familiar and respected presence at countless industry luncheons, awards nights, and ALVA events. Behind the scenes, she played a vital role in supporting Marty’s performances across NSW—often as the quiet achiever, always organised and dependable.

Now, with that same quiet strength and dedication, Merredene looks forward to bringing her energy and experience to the ALVA Committee, ready to give back to the community that has given her so much pleasure.

Committee Member – Monique Montez
By Kerri Lacey

Committee Member – Monique Montez

Multiple award winning vocalist Monique Montez has performed in many facets of the entertainment industry, making her a force to be reckoned with. Her captivating stage presence has wowed audiences worldwide, and she has hired and admired by the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Richard Pratt and Baz Luhrmann.

From musical theatre & cabaret, to television & the corporate world, Monique’s career spans over an amazing 23 years. Starring in Saturday Night Fever, We Will Rock You, Dusty The Original Pop Diva, Fiddler On The Roof and Dusty The Concert, she has also supported acts like Hollywood Legend Micky Rooney, Taylor Dane, The Drifters, Tom Burlinson, Human Nature & Sneaky Sound System to name a few.

Her career is dynamic & diverse, with television appearances on All Saints, GMA, Fresh, The Footy show, Kerri Anne, Carols in the Domain & Foxtel’s Channel V. More recently, Monique won the coveted “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the ACE Awards (Australia Club Entertainment).

Monique became a member of ALVA many years ago and in 2017, joined the ALVA committee. She took a small break but is back to help all. We are so excited to have Monique on the Committee. 

Committee Member – Gayle Wakeling-Taylor
By Kerri Lacey

Committee Member – Gayle Wakeling-Taylor

Gayle has been an active member of ALVA since 2003. She started dancing professionally in 1968, taught dancing from 1976, and specialises in treating people with disabilities and spinal dysfunction through Pilates, massage and vibration training.  Gayle has over 30 years experience in the fitness industry, and in that time has been able to provide rehabilitation and core strengthening work to literally thousands of clients.  Gayle has the ability to give individual attention to a class of varying ages and stages, and makes you feel completely comfortable with your own abilities. She has an extensive comprehension of physical abilities & limitations, and is able to tailor exercises in a group to accommodate any problems.Her enthusiasm and encouragement enable her to be an integral member of the ALVA Committee. Gayle put her hand up to be the Treasurer in 2015 and has not looked back. She is usually the first person you see at the function and always with a smiling face and quick wit. In 2020, Gayle moved back into a committee role. 

VALE: Helen Lorain OAM
By Kerri Lacey

VALE: Helen Lorain OAM

Helen’s rich contralto voice and dynamic personality have endeared her to audiences all over the world. Helen joined Actor’s Equity in 1948 and her professional singing career continued successfully for the following 40 years. She then became a businesswoman, enabling her to educate her two sons. Helen Lorain Rasko is an Alumni of Oxford University and still sings for Charities.  Helen’s  life long commitment helping raise funds for charity is well known and, as the longest serving Member of the ABF Committee, her knowledge is greatly appreciated.   Dear Helen was a wonderful supporter and Life Member of ALVA, passed away on Saturday, 11th March, 2017.
 
Congratulations Nicolette Norris AM
By Kerri Lacey

Congratulations Nicolette Norris AM

When you read the Australia Day Honours List, you will see that Nicolette Norris (aka Niki Dene) is now a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia ” for significant service to the community, particularly to the rights, protection and welfare of children.” She is now Niki Norris, AM.

 
CONGRATULATIONS NIKI!!!!
 
From Johnny Pace…… I could not be more delighted that her commitment and dedication to the cause has been so recognised. For the past 10 years she has donated up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week to the cause and I habitually am compelled to feign annoyance about 7.00pm each night to make her close the office and come to dinner. Our weekend evenings are frequently interrupted by phone calls from desperate mothers and never has she told them to ring back on Monday. Instead she breaks from whatever we were enjoying together to listen, advise and counsel – a process that never seems to take less than an hour. Our home is often used as a refuge for Mothers and their children from Intrastate who have to come to Sydney for Hearings etc and who can’t afford hotel accommodation. She is currently working with the State Member for Heathcote, Lee Evans, on the setting up of a Child Abuse Tribunal, with a panel of experts to investigate claims of abuse and to act as what Lee calls a ‘Gateway’ before these cases are dealt with by the Family Court. She has formed a separate group, Young Survivors Against Child Abuse (YSACA), made up of young people who have been returned to the custody of the more protective parent, more often than not, through Niki’s intervention. She arranged a meeting with the Federal Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, who listened to their stories and is already acting on the issues the children raised. Her many meetings with Government departments dealing with children has seen a marked improvement in attitudes and practice as she makes them understand the underlying flaws that see too many children suffering Court sanctioned abuse. All this just touches on the work she does and the outcomes she has achieved. That all this work is now recognised with an AM for her makes me the proudest man on the planet. Well wishing to: ndene@optusnet.com.au