Tom Sweeney OAM
Tom Sweeney has been a driving force in the voluntary community on Sydney's North Shore for over 40 years. His involvement in the community theatre life of Willoughby started in 1969 at the age of 22, when he joined the Willoughby Musical Society.
A year later he joined the Committee as a volunteer. In 2007 Tom became
President. In this role he guided the Society to a name change becoming the Willoughby Theatre Company and moving the company to The Concourse, where the company has been performing since the venue opened in September 2011.
Tom was directly involved with the development of The Concourse and the
organisation of the opening celebration. The Willoughby Theatre Company was asked to present a production as part of the soft opening of the Concourse, to which he directed The Boy from Oz.
From the age of 22 Tom has been involved with WTC now for 50 years, this has required an exceptional giving of his time, people skills and enthusiasm resulting in Willoughby Theatre Company being a leader in community theatre organisations.
The WTC celebrated its 60th year in 2019. Over the past 50 years Tom has directed 37 productions (including 6 Australian premieres). He has also appeared in many productions, done costuming, props, backstage and made the tea.
As part of his promotion of the arts in the area each week Tom voluntarily speaks to Probus, Rotary and other Service Organisations all over Sydney about the Willoughby Theatre Company.
Tom was recently awarded an OAM for his services to the Arts and the Willoughby Community. With the profile above, it seems fitting that Tom be recognised by his peers in being inducted into the Community Hall of Fame for 2021.