College Closure
Please note well: After 68 years of operation, the Australian College of Music no longer operates to conduct examinations for its music or speech syllabuses. Its final examinations sessions were held in 2025.
Contact any of the following examining bodies for advice about transition to a new syllabus when considering examinations in 2026.
Alternative examining bodies:
Australian Music Examinations Board – Queensland office:
Phone: 07 3634 0933 email: enquiries.ameb@qed.qld.gov.au
Trinity College London: Co-ordinator Mr Kevin Gallagher
Phone: 07 3488 2604
mobile: 0403 233 268
Email: kevin.gallagher@outlook.com.au
Australian Speech Communication Association
Co-ordinators
Mrs Pamela Cassidy
Phone: 0414 186 226
Mrs Anita Eldridge
Phone: 0412 178 737
Email: exams.asca@gmail.com
Australian Guild of Music and Speech
Mrs Denise Collins
Phone 0412 792 295
Email: denise.collins@agms.edu.au or denisejohncollins@bigpond.com
For further information please contact:
The ACM Administrator, Mr Terry McIvor on Mob 0408 345 376 or…
The immediate past ACM President, Mr Stephen Robinson Mob 0432 610 937 email: robinsonsgr58@outlook.com
The Australian College of Music is an examining body.
- Its purpose is to provide assessment, within a graded structure, of student performances and achievements in the areas of music and speech.
- Examination syllabuses are available for a wide range of practical and theoretical subjects in music and speech.
- Through its examination programmes, the Board, while maintaining consistent standards of examining, encourages students to strive for their highest level of achievement.
- The College is a non-profit organisation. Its funds and capital are devoted solely to the advancement of music and speech.
History
In 1966 the London College of Music, after a decision of the Council, ceased all operations overseas. Prior to this Australia was a very large centre with examinations being held in every state. This left something of a void in the Music, and Speech and Drama examination system.
Sheila Birchley and Patrick Ryan had been Overseas Examiners for the London College of Music and were urged by many teachers and parents to organise a similar body to carry on the work of the London College. With the assistance of Sheila Birchley’s husband, Cecil, who was well known in business and government circles, and armed with a proposed constitution and draft syllabuses, Patrick Ryan, and Sheila and Cecil Birchley approached the Queensland Government. The outcome was that on 16th May, 1968, the Australian College of Music (ACM) was granted Letters Patent. This was done under The Religious, Educational Charitable Institutions Acts, 1861 – 1967. This established the ACM (a non-profit organisation) as a Body Corporate, being signed into law by Sir Gordon Chalk, the Deputy-Premier at the time, and Sir Alan Mansfield, the then Governor of Queensland. Patrick Ryan was named as President and Sheila Birchley as Secretary/Treasurer.
The founding Board and specially selected Panel of Examiners was: Pam Harper, Douglas Killer, Jack Stevens, Marjorie Nugent, Patrea O’Shea, Kathleen Hughes, Viliam Simek, D.Vincent Munro, and Sr Mary Rita.
From the outset the ACM endeavoured to foster a fair but friendly approach to examinations whilst aiming for the highest of standards. It also encouraged Australian content in its sullabuses.
Today the ACM fills a boutique but steadily growing niche in the in the music community and the speech and drama community.