General News
25 January, 2025
Passion for arts and community: an OAM for Horsham's Deb Boutcher
Horsham's Deb Boutcher has been awarded the Order of Australia.
Horsham's Deb Boutcher has been acknowledged for service to the arts and the community of Horsham with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
"I am a very proud Australian and proud to be receiving this honour, but I never expected to be acknowledged for something that has been a passion for me all these years," she said.
Ms Boutcher is well known in the Horsham district for her work with the Horsham Arts Council (HAC), but her love of theatre began at an early age.
"My first experience with live theatre was in Horsham. When I was four, my grandmother took me to Brigadoon, performed by a local theatre group.
"I can remember thinking, that's what I want to do," she said.
Just a year later, at age five, she was on that same stage as a ballerina with her ballet class, and it launched a passion that is as alive now as it was then.
"My grandmother probably took me to that first play to ensure I had a rounded upbringing, but there had always been music in the family. I grew up with music around me.
"My grandfather, Cliff Nitschke, had an orchestra and played for dances and functions in the area, and my mother had a beautiful singing voice.
"Mum loved to sing, and she was very good but never pursued it as a hobby or career," she said.
The family tradition has come almost full circle, with her four-year-old grandson making his first stage appearance as one of the baby donkeys in the recent HAC production of Shrek.
Ms Boutcher's career with the Horsham Arts Council has spanned almost 50 years with roles on stage, directing and training new thespians.
She has directed 10 shows, including The Importance of Ernest, Nunsense, What's New Pussycat, RENT and The Little Shop of Horrors.
This year, she is also co-directing the Diamond Jubilee production for HAC.
" I am so proud that the community supports the productions, and I think that is because they see the growth and professionalism of the shows.
"RENT was nominated for 13 Guild Awards and was awarded two. What's New Pussycat won a Guild too, which speaks for the high calibre of our productions," she said.
"Horsham produced Oliver's first Victorian stage production in 1970, and I was in that."
"The arts have been good to me. I have been fortunate to be involved in HAC and the arts, but they have given back to me more than I have given them," she said.
Ms Boutcher has served on the HAC committee for many years, from 1968 to 1984 and from 2001 and is current.
Roles she has held include director, performer and mentor. She was a former vice president and costume coordinator and was awarded life membership in 2010.
Her additional community interests include serving on the Wesley Performing Arts and Fundraising and Cultural Centre's current committee.
Ms Boutcher spent 20 years employed in the welfare system, providing foster care support and fundraising for the Spasctic Centre. She served 12 years of the two decades with Victim's Assistance, working with people at their most vulnerable, which she says was a privilege.
"Working with people, helping them navigate the legal system, dealing with the welfare system and working with police was rewarding," she said.
Hordshasm has been the launching pad for many people who have gone on to have successful performing careers, but it can also be just as rewarding as a hobby.
"I am genuinely humbled by this recognition, and I urge anyone interested in treading the boards to have a go. The worst part is the audition; once you get through that,t you become part of the HAC and show families.
"It can be an outlet from your career or a launching pad for your future.
"It provided the perfect work-life balance for me and became my passion," she said.
"On stage you are someone else and that is easier than being yourself sometimes,:" she said.
Ms Boutcher firmly believes that theatre and the stage can be a life-changing learning experience. But it also needs commitment and teamwork. Through theatre, you can also make friends for life.