Oliver has been a member of the judging panel since the inception of the CAT Awards in 1995.
Oliver had a 31-year career as a Defence research scientist and senior executive. He retired in 1992 and spends most of his time on music and theatre.
President of Canberra Repertory for three years (1990-93) after four as Vice-President, Oliver appeared in five seasons of Repertory’s Old Time Music Hall both as soloist and in barbershop quartets. He was Musical Director, co-Director and performer in a Music Hall presented by St Paul’s Church, Manuka, in 1996.
A Leader and Commissioner in the Scout Association for many years, Oliver was involved in the Canberra Scout Gang Show for seven years (1978-84), variously as two or more of performer, writer, composer, assistant director, musical director and executive chairman.
Oliver studied voice with Ronald Maconaghie for four years, gaining his A.Mus.A. in 1990. His solo performances have included some for Art Song Canberra(formerly the ACT Lieder Society), Opera ACT and the ACT Singers (formerly Opera Singers of Canberra). Since 1996 he and his pianist friend Neville Chynoweth have given many concerts, always including some songs by Noel Coward and Flanders & Swann. He is President and a Life Member of Art Song Canberra.
Having sung in many chamber and other choirs throughout his life, Oliver is a long-standing member and former President of the Oriana Chorale (a leading Canberrachamber choir). He was Choirmaster at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Manuka, for twelve years (1994-2005 incl.) and Director of Music for five (after all, liturgy is just another form of theatre!). Since 2006 Oliver has conducted a 60-strong mixed choir – Harmonia Monday (the Choral Studies Group of the University of the Third Age), Canberra. He became Director of GoodCompanye, a small a cappella vocal group, in 2007.
Oliver was elected to the Board of Canberra Arts Marketing in May 2006
In the 2008 Australia Day Honours Oliver was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australiafor his services to the community through music, theatre and Scouting.