ASC Team

Lisa Butler

Born on the NSW Central Coast into a musical family, Lisa wrote poetry and learned piano from an early age. She started writing songs (words and music) at age 16. Singing lessons followed during the teenage years with a view to a singing career but writing songs, and in particular lyrics, became her passion.

Largely self-taught, Lisa writes well constructed, thought-provoking lyrics that demonstrate a deep understanding of human nature whilst maintaining commercial appeal. Experimenting with different styles and challenging the status quo are a favourite pastime resulting in interesting, meaning-filled, stories-in-song.

Lisa worked part time (1994-97) as Personal/Production Assistant for international cabaret star, Jenifer Green. This provided invaluable experience and awarded her the opportunity to make excellent contacts within the industry as well as gain further understanding of the 'ins and outs' of the music business.

Working in public relations and promotions in the hospitality and entertainment industries as well as general reception and office work gave Lisa the opportunity to gain knowledge in networking, communication and business procedures which now stands her in good stead, as she manages the administration, advertising and public relations of a number of songwriter-focused initiatives.

In November 1999, Lisa established Imaginotion Songs with song writing partner, Chris Headford. This song writing business, based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, aimed to provide original, commercial music to local and overseas recording and publishing companies, recording artists and bands. Genres include Pop, Rock, Adult Contemporary, and Country. The Imaginotion Songs website can be found at www.imaginotionsongs.com.

Guided by her passion for songwriting and songwriters, Lisa is the Founder/Coordinator of the largest and most comprehensive songwriter’s conference ever to be staged in Australia. Aptly named the Australian Songwriters Conference www.AustralianSongwritersConference.com.au, this unique annual four-day event encompasses all aspects of the craft and business of songwriting and attracts attendees from right around Australia and is now attracting the attention of songwriters internationally. Hit songwriters and producers clamour for a coveted spot on the ASC Faculty each year, along with top Publishers, other music industry professionals and service providers.

Lisa is Owner/Operator of the newly established ASC Music Publishing, and is President of ASC Songwriter Assist Inc, a brand new non-profit incorporated Association designed to assist songwriters with all aspects of their career and lifestyle www.ascsa.org.au. All the ASC initiatives are headquartered on the beautiful NSW Central Coast, as Lisa believes very strongly in supporting her hometown community.

A Certified Professional Career and Life Coach specialising in the Music Industry, Lisa assists performers, songwriters, musicians and music industry executives to define and articulate their goals and create an action plan to make them a reality. Lisa views her role as a Career and Life Coach as both humbling and inspiring, and a natural extension of her work in the Music Industry.

Lisa Butler is a member of the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA), Australian Songwriters Association (ASA), Songsalive!, Australian Copyright Council and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Rusty Wallis

Rusty Wallis is no stranger to the music industry. Her career spans over thirty years in the Business. She has worked with high profile Australian and International Artists from Whitney Houston, Lionel Ritchie to Hoodoo Gurus, INXS & John Farnham. Rusty was the first female to ever be appointed as an A&R manager in Australia for a major record company - RCA Records (now SONY/BMG) spending many assignments through postings in New York, LA and London. She also held the post of Head of Creative Services for Warner Chappell Music Publishing signing and developing writers and artists and also responsible for increasing licensing revenue from $250K to $2M in a record twelve months.

Rusty is now the successful proprietor of RAW Music & Media based on the Central Coast of NSW Australia providing artist development and other services to the Industry & its artists and also specializing in Music Licensing negotiations and brokering deals on behalf of business.

Eliza Warner

Eliza Warner is our wonderful bookkeeper here at the Australian Songwriters Conference. With a career spanning 25 years, she has worked in some very diverse roles with small business, corporate and multinational companies.

Eliza has a Diploma in Commerce (Accounting), and her experience in Accounting, Administration, Bookkeeping and Credit Management make her an important and integral part of our ASC team.

As Financial and Management Accounting Officer at varying stages of the inception of BT Australasia (British Telecom), Eliza reported directly to the Chief Financial Officer of the group. She has worked as Credit Supervisor at CorpTel and later, took up the role of Credit Manager at RSL COM Australia where she was head of the Credit Department. She was responsible for approximately 10,000 accounts with an annual turnover in excess of $120 million dollars.

We think she’ll do nicely!

For more information have a look at the Eliza's Bookkeeping website.

Leslie Wright

Leslie Wright is our travel expert who looks after the transport needs of our Faculty and ASC Staff. She is also available to assist our ASC Attendees with flights and transfers, so to save yourself the stress, call Leslie at Travelworld Woy Woy on 02) 4341 7200. She's happy to help.