Mr Gillen – is passionate about developing young musicians promoting the performing arts in the Illawarra – has been named a finalist for the Young Creative Award with the winner to be announced at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney on June 12.

Now in their fifth year, the awards showcase the strength and diversity of creative individuals and organisations.

“We’re very lucky in New South Wales to have so many people with creative talents making such an important contribution to our State’s culture, society and economy,” Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said.

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Minister for Trade and Industry Niall Blair said the state is the Australia’s leader in creative industries, employing 212,600 people – more than forty-two per cent of the Nation’s creative workforce.

The NSW Young Creative Award is granted to a candidate aged 25 or under, who is considered outstanding in their sector and has demonstrated leadership in originality and/or innovation and contributed to raising the profile of creative industries.

The Award offers a structured mentoring program with a creative industry specialist to the value of $3,000.

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Ryley Gillen is a trumpeter, conductor, tutor and artistic director based in Wollongong and passionate about developing young musicians and promoting the performing arts in regional NSW.