Allister has served as the Musical Director of the Geelong Chorale since 2012 and is prominent in the region’s music scene as a teacher, performer and conductor. He imparts his expertise in clarinet and saxophone at several local schools while also directing a variety of ensembles. As a clarinettist, Allister has performed with regional and metropolitan orchestras and chamber groups. His decade-long tenure as conductor of the Geelong Community Orchestra (now Orchestra Geelong) was marked by a significant elevation in performance standards and a commitment to fostering community music-making. In recognition of his contributions to choral and orchestral music, Allister was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal in 2017.