Cultural Nominees
Catherine Crosse
Catherine Crosse is one of the producers of Ireland Calling Radio Show. She is also a former President of Sydney St Patrick's Day Organisation. Catherine is passionate about promoting Irish culture and is an avid follower of news and events in Ireland which she passes around the team for broadcasting. She is the backbone of the show and ensures that Irish culture is at the forefront of what goes on air. Catherine has financially supported not only the show over the years but is a generous supporter of many other causes. She never seeks any accolades and due to her own busy work schedule can't often get to many events but will support them in any way she can. She is also a hugely generous person and while never one to shy away from difficult conversations, her intentions are always good and coming from a genuine place. While many of the radio team are involved in other groups, Catherine's sole venture outside of work is Ireland Calling and her dedication and support of it has helped keep our show going for the past 15 years. While we as a team were so thrilled to receive an award last year, I believe Catherine is so deserving of acknowledgement in her own right for her commitment and love of Irish culture and promotion of it. She also loves radio and is an active participant at member meetings and has been on the programming committee for the last two years. I would love to see Catherine being awarded as one of those people who don't get noticed.
DR. ENDA MURRAY
Dr Enda Murray’s body of work over 40 years is a creative exploration of the experience of emigration and Irish culture.
In Sydney, Enda is best known for his founding and stewardship of the Irish Film Festival which screens in 5 cities and online across Australia and is in its 11th year.
Enda has also been on the board of the Irish National Association for more than 10 years.
In 2019 Enda co-founded the Sydney branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Enda Murray has written, produced and directed TV and radio content for RTE, BBC, ABC, SBS, NITV and Maori TV. His work has been screened at international film festivals including Mumbai, Dublin, Rotterdam, Galway, Cork and Berlin Ethnofest.
Bio
Originally from Drogheda in Ireland, Murray studied at Trinity College in Dublin before emigrating to London in 1985. He produced his first short film ‘Rope’ – a no-budget short drama filmed in squats in South London with homeless members of the Irish community.
In 1996, Murray moved to Australia to document Irish women migrants in Sydney (‘Gaelic Girls’) with the ladies of Clan na Gael Gaelic Football Club. This doco screened on RTE.
In 2007 Enda Murray was awarded the Australia Council Fellowship in Community Cultural Development. Enda’s PhD film, ‘Secret Family Recipes’, explored his connection with Ireland, his community in Drogheda and his family of 14 siblings.
In 2015 Enda founded the Irish Film Festival which has grown from humble beginnings to now screen in 5 cities and online. The festival brings new Irish films to Australia and has documented the changing social life in Ireland particularly in relation to gender and women’s issues. The festival is a focus for new ideas and reflects a changing Ireland to ex-pats as well as introducing new Irish Australians to their rich heritage.
The Opening Nights of the film festival have become a celebration of the depth and scope of the Irish business, arts and cultural scenes in each of the 5 cities where it takes place.
Down through the years the festival has also offered complimentary tickets to ISA members and also to members of the ISA sister organisations in the 4 other cities around Australia. The online film festival allows the festival films to be viewed by members of the Irish community who are unable to visit a cinema either through carer duties, disability or the tyranny of distance.
Enda Murray has been a tireless worker on behalf of the Irish community through his work on the board of the Irish National Association and also through initiatives such as Le Chéile at the Irish Consulate. Enda has also been active in the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade, Sydney Queer Irish and WNOW.
In recent years Enda Murray has documented the Irish migrant experience through his documentaries about topics ranging from singer/songwriter Áine Tyrrell (Irish Troubadour, 2020), Irish drag artists in Sydney (Peaches Queen of Éireann, 2022) and an exploration of Irish and Ghanaian music and migration (Bringing Roots (Music) to Australia, 2023). Murray then went on to examine the cultural anomaly of non-Irish musicians who play Irish traditional music in Sydney (The Continental Céilí, 2024).
Murray’s latest work ‘Paradise’ is a short comedy about young Irish people in Sydney made with a crew of young Irish creatives. It will screen later this year at the IFF 2025.
Maria Maher-Astley
Maria Maher-Astley has been fostering a love of Irish culture through dance in western Sydney for over 30 years. She founded the Maher School of Irish Dance in 1994 and has taught hundreds (possibly thousands??) of children the beautiful art of Irish dance. Maria has trained many NSW State Champions and Australian National Champions in both solo and ceili dancing, and she has also produced countless World Qualifiers — with many recalling and placing at the World Championships.
As well as her competitive achievements, Maria has instilled a sense of community in her students, with her dancers regularly performing at cultural events — from local nursing homes and community fundraisers, right up to touring Irish dance shows and the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
For many years, Maria served as Secretary of the NSW branch of the Australian Irish Dancing Association (AIDA Inc) — volunteering endless hours of her personal time to ensure the smooth running of feiseanna and other events across NSW, and enabling the growth of Irish dance as a legitimate competitive sport. Maria was appointed as a Life Member of AIDA Inc for her service and commitment to Irish dance in Australia.
Perhaps most important of all, she has helped shape the hearts and minds of countless young children, building a tight-knit community and spreading Irish culture far and wide across Australia.
Comhaltas Sydney
The Sydney branch of Comhaltas is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Irish traditional music and culture in Sydney, Australia.
Affiliated with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the largest global organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting Irish music, Comhaltas Sydney operates as a vibrant, non-profit cultural movement among hundreds of international branches.
Established in 2019, the founding committee included Enda Murray as Chair, Edel McBride-McGovern, Margaret Winnett, Marion O’Reilly, Christian Killeen, Colum Hickey, Cameron Mather, Aisling Vaughan, Gerry McCullagh, and Reagan Scott Ward.
After Enda Murray stepped down in the first year due to other commitments, Margaret Winnett took on the role of Chairperson, with Edel McBride-McGovern serving as Secretary. The committee also expanded to include Alan Forde, Steven Powell, Jade Tinker, and Tomás De Bhaidraithe, among others.
Inspired by Edel’s vision of establishing a céilí band in Sydney, Comhaltas Sydney successfully launched its first Fleadh in 2021. Funded by Comhaltas HQ and generous sponsors, with professional signage provided by DEM Signage, the event featured a full weekend of festivities: a Friday evening concert, music tuition for adults and children on Saturday, lively Irish music sessions, a traditional céilí, a Saturday evening concert, and a Sunday morning mass at St. Peter’s Church. The highlight was the formation of Sydney’s own céilí band, fulfilling Edel’s original aspiration.
Comhaltas Sydney received recognition from Rosie Keane, Consul General of Ireland in Sydney, who praised the committee’s significant contributions to the local Irish community and their dedication to keeping Irish traditions vibrant and thriving in Sydney.
In 2022, Comhaltas Sydney introduced branded half-zip tops, further enhancing their visibility and community spirit across the city.
Committee members, past and present, have dedicated considerable time and effort, continuing their involvement thanks to their passion and commitment to Irish culture.
Additionally, committee member Cam Mather proudly represented Comhaltas Sydney internationally by competing at the Fleadh Cheoil, further highlighting the branch’s dedication and engagement with the global Comhaltas community.
This nomination is for the orgnaisation Comhaltas Sydney and all of their dedicated hard work throughout many hard year.