As part of our plans to improve our communication, we’re trying out a blog for Repartee. I’d like your feedback. This post is a farewell note from Sarah-Jane, who’s on her way back to the UK.
Dear Newcastle Theatre Company members
As some of you may know I am returning to the UK this week after 3 and a half years in Australia, 2 and half of which I have been privileged enough to call myself a member of NTC.
It’s no secret that I have at time struggled being so far away from my friends and family. However through NTC I have made new lifelong friends and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have managed to stick it out as long as I did if I hadn’t been part of your fantastic company. When I was grieving my Aunt, and my homesickness was at it’s worst, it meant the world to me to have somewhere to go. Somewhere I always felt welcome, some little job I could help with to take my mind off things, a friendly face or 5 to see. 
To this day I count my first experience with NTC, helping out at a Bunnings BBQ, as the most Australian thing I’ve ever done. It should be part of the citizenship test.
Particular thanks must go to David Murray for calling me up and taking a chance on a complete novice to operate the lights for Ophelia and for being extremely patient with me whilst I learnt the ropes. Thanks next to Howard and Janet for trusting me as temporary stage manager and lighting design for All My Sons, another amazing experience where I learnt so much. Thank you to Tracey and all the rest of the wonderful canteen ladies for welcoming me into their gang and trusting me not to eat more lolly’s than I bagged. Thank you to Debra for writing such a lovely script for Play in a Day 2013 and to Stephen for casting me in it so I could finally tread the boards of NTC. Thank you to Amy and Lani for casting me in Grimm, a show that easily doubled my friend total in Australia. But overall just a massive thank-you to everyone for making me feel so welcome, for trusting me and for making me feel I belonged.
You are all part of an amazing team running a very special resource. Sometimes, when all the individual cogs (no Grimm pun intended) are in action, it can be easy to miss the bigger picture. Whilst NTC puts on high quality products, it isn’t just a building or a series of performances, it’s a community resource that brings people together and it should be treasured for that. I shall miss you all, the theatre and the performances but I shall back to visit as often as I can and will eternally be an avid, if somewhat distant supporter of NTC
Lots of Love (a very teary)
Sarah-Jane
Repartee 
What a lovely message! The personal dimension of what we do is very important. Glad we were able to give SJ such a good experience. She was a treasure.
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Youll cetainly be missed, Sarah-Jane. You were a wonderful ‘wayward child’ in “Jean’s Blues” in PIAD #4. Cheerio. Stephen
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Awwww. Love you and miss you already SJ. We were so lucky to have you xxoo
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And thank you for your delightful energy, commitment and friendship. I was chuffed when you were cast in a role I wrote for you too. We will certainly miss your cheery smile and wonderful laugh (who knew laughs could have accents?). xx
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