News briefs

Musical genius joins the Conservatorium
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music welcomes Professor Karl Kramer as the new Dean and Principal as of April. Mr Kramer  will replace Professor Kim Walker, who has held the prestigious position for seven years.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal for the University of Sydney said: “Following an international search, Professor Kramer was the outstanding candidate for the position.

“He has a well deserved reputation as a music scholar, an innovative teacher and a professional performer.”

His reputation was fashioned from a career that includes his roles as professor and dean at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music at the State University of New York and at New World School of the Arts in Miami.

Mr Kramer will be leaving his current position ofProfessor and Director of the School of Music at the University of Illinois to move to Sydney.

“I must say that coming to Sydney, one of the most culturally endowed and liveable
cities in the world, is a dream job come true,” he said.

Governor General to visit The Shepherd Centre

The Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Mr Bryce will visit The Shepherd Centre in Darlington, to celebrate the
charity’s success in giving deaf children a voice.

The centre’s data for 2011 revealed the majority of children with additional needs, such as those from a non- English speaking background, scored in the ‘typical’ range for vocabulary.

Those without additional needs scored 101 for vocabulary. The average score for the general population is 100.

The Governor-General will meet Centre staff, families and graduates on Thursday February 2.

Australia Day weekend
NSW Police reports have shown that between Australia Day and Sunday January 29, 2464 speeding motorists were detected, down from 2838 for the same period in 2011.

In addition, police issued 214 drink-driving charges during the double demerit holiday period, which is a drop from
337 in 2011.

However, infringements from other traffic offences rose to 4853 from 3938 last year.

By Kristie Beattie