DIANNE Weller grew up on the Coffs Coast and has strong family ties to the region, her grandmother is remembered for planting the big pine trees at Moonee beach.

Having completed her schooling through St Augustine’s and Orara High school, she set off to follow the career path that had been her goal since she was old enough to understand what that was, performing arts.

Her commitment to this path was evidenced by the fact that she was in every school theatrical production during her schooling and excelled in drama and singing, revelling in choir camps when they came along.

The bright lights of Sydney beckoned, and after some hits and misses Dianne fell into singing classical opera, leading to work as a singing teacher, and connections that landed her a singing role in a movie.

Securing a good agent saw her landing a role in the TV series ‘Water Rats’, which cemented her as a talent on the rise.

A move to London and temp work with the BBC and ITV led to work in a radio drama, then performances at the London Palladium and plays at the Theatre Royal at Bath.

After meeting her husband and moving to his homeland of Belgium, Dianne found work in voice acting, and has been working in that field as a highly respected professional ever since.

Returning home to Australia with her husband and two daughters in March last year, just avoiding multiple international border closures by hours, she now resides on the Coffs Coast and still works to a European schedule.

Of the Australian voice acting industry Dianne said, “It is very hard to find work here at the moment, possibly because so many Aussies have returned home due to the pandemic and agent’s books are full of experienced voice actors looking for work.”

Not one to sit still, Dianne is working on plans to stage a Coffs Coast Arts Festival soon and has the backing and support of a wide range of local artists and creatives, and is in talks with sponsors and searching for funding.

 

By David TUNE