Matt Orchard crowned Australia’s top music teacher

SEASONED rocker and Apollo Bay P-12 college teacher Matt Orchard says he was struck with a rare case of nerves leading up to the ARIA Awards last week, where he was named the winner of the 2022 Music Teacher Award.

A 25-year veteran of the stage, it was not until his award was soon to be announced that he was able to ease his angst.

“I used to spew before every gig with nerves, and I haven’t felt that way for a couple of decades,” he said.

“But about 15 minutes before our award was given, it suddenly became clear that it was something I had done a lot before, and I suddenly became really calm.”

And with that, he was called to the stage to accept his award from the original Blue Wiggle, Anthony Field, and gave a short speech.

“I’d just like to thank Telstra and ARIA and the Song Room for shining a light on the fact that music and music education plays a crucial role in improving the mental health and wellbeing of kids right across the country in school,” Mr Orchard said.

“And a special mention to Apollo Bay P-12 college and the community of Apollo Bay, it’s a special place to live… and thanks Mum!”

It turned out to be one of several memorable moments he shared with various members of The Wiggles.

“On the red carpet… the people that were in front of us were The Wiggles and there were screams, people were going nuts, and then there’s us behind; the valley of contrasts!” Mr Orchard said.

“There’s the worldwide heroes and then there’s us, cruising behind, wide-eyed, going ‘this is awesome, there’s Baker Boy, there’s Richard Wilkins, there’s Tones and I’.”

His next Wiggles encounter, having taken part in a panel the day before chaired by original Red Wiggle Murray Cook, was when the pair “bailed” from the ARIA Awards after-party.

“Because it was too loud, we sat outside and talked about guitars and vintage clothes for a while, which was yet another Wiggle-y episode.”

The whirlwind week was capped off by his return to the coast, where he had a few pre-booked gigs, and his attempt to respond to the 1,200 messages he estimated he received after winning the award.

“It was lovely that people were so generous, because I couldn’t have done it without all the support,” he said.

“When I was younger I wanted to get an ARIA Award playing in a band, for musical deeds that way. I’ve taken the extremely long way around and 30 years later it’s happened in a completely different way but it’s just as sweet, probably sweeter.”