The Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust (the Trust) was established by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust Act 1980 (the Act). It serves as a statutory agency which currently sits within the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. The Minister responsible is Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks MP.
Overseen by Creative Victoria, Geelong Arts Centre is the only State Government-owned cultural institution located outside of Melbourne.
The functions of the Trust are to:
- Complete the construction of Geelong Arts Centre's Redevelopment
- Care for, improve and maintain Geelong Arts Centre
- Control and manage Geelong Arts Centre
- Present and produce theatrical performances, operas, plays, dramas, ballets, musical and other performances and entertainment of any kind in and outside Geelong Arts Centre
- Promote the use of Geelong Arts Centre by persons and bodies whom the Trust considers to be suitable
- Perform any other functions appropriate to Geelong Arts Centre as the Minister for Creative Industries may approve.
TRUST MEMBERS
LESLEY ALWAY (CHAIR)
Lesley Alway has had a long career in arts and cultural management, policy and leadership across a broad range of art forms in government, non-profit and private sectors. She has also been involved with a wide range of cultural infrastructure projects. Her previous roles include Director of Asialink Arts, Managing Director of Sotheby’s Australia, Director/CEO of the Heide Museum and the Director of Arts Victoria. Lesley has previously served on the Boards of Opera Australia, ACCA (Australian Centre for Contemporary Art) and the Australia ASEAN Council (DFAT).
Lesley’s academic qualifications include an MBA from Monash University; Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage, BA (Hons) and BEd from the University of Melbourne. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
FAY MUIR
Fay is a Boon Wurrung Elder of the Yalukut Weelum of the Boon Wurrung, Wamba Wamba and Wergai clans. She is a mentor, educator, language specialist and author. Her first children’s book, Nganga: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Words and Phrases, co-authored with Sue Lawson, was published in 2018. In 2020, Fay was also co-author of three books, Respect, Family and Sharing in a series called Our Place, a compilation of four children’s picture books that welcome and introduce children to important elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. In 2020, in recognition of Fay’s extensive community service and contribution to First Nations language revival, health, education, cultural advocacy and Koori prisoner programs, she was inducted to both the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll.
PETER TULLIN
Peter is the co-founder of CultureLabel.com, a website that was one of the first of its kind to sell art online, retailing creative products from leading international culture brands including Tate, V&A, Guggenheim and the British Museum. He has co-authored two books, Intelligent Naivety and REMIX, that help other creative entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. REMIX has become a series of global ideas conferences exploring the intersection of culture, technology and entrepreneurship in cities including Sydney, New York, Perth, Dubai and London and Istanbul. REMIX is supported by partners including Google, Bloomberg, VICE, Time Out, ABC and The Guardian.
JANE RICHARDS
Jane is an experienced non-executive director and advisor with over 25 years’ experience in management within the higher education and creative arts sectors. She has extensive experience operating in large complex organisations, navigating stakeholders and partnerships with local, state and commonwealth government agencies, as well as a range of large and small creative organisations. Jane was instrumental to the $200m infrastructure redevelopment of the University of Melbourne’s Southbank Campus in the heart of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, including the $109m Ian Potter Southbank Centre and $18m Martyn Myer Arena and Art Stables. Her senior roles have allowed her to develop expertise in strategy, business development, governance, risk management, public relations and marketing, partnerships, and fundraising.
BRUCE GLADWIN
Bruce Gladwin is an Australian artist, director and performance maker for theatre and screen. He has been the Artistic Director of Back to Back Theatre since 1999. Works for Back to Back include Mental, Dog Farm, Small Metal Objects, Soft, Food Court, Ganesh Versus the Third Reich, Super Discount, Lady Eats Apple, The Democratic Set, Entity and The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes. The body of work has been recognised with the 2022 International Ibsen Award and a Golden Lion from the 2024 Venice Biennale Teatro.
For screen, Gladwin has written and directed the dystopian sci fi, Oddlands, a collaboration with Matchbox Pictures and The ABC. Also, Shadow a 55 minute screen adaptation of The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes, which won the audience choice award for Visions at South by South West Festival and has been nominated for Black Magic Innovations Award at The Melbourne International Film Festival.
LINDA WONG
Amongst Linda’s strengths is her ability to bring together the knowledge that she has collected over her career and adapt it to various cultures and circumstances in a non-confronting and engaging manner. With strong strategic thinking, Linda combines her broad experience in complex environments to execute and deliver outcomes. Her dedication to people and team work has often seen her leading large change programs to meet the vision and mission of organisations. Linda brings great drive and tenacity to programs requiring rigour and clear direction, but also provides a good mix of empathy and support. Using effective communication and observation skills, Linda builds rapport across all levels of an organisation. Her clarity of thinking provides direction to staff and the capability to make the complex simpler. Utilising her strong sense of commercial acumen, Linda has demonstrated success in identifying opportunities, developing relationships and operating businesses from the ground up.
MARGOT SMITH
Margot Smith has had a 30-year career in the retail industry, where she has worked with the Myer, Coles and Wesfarmers Groups. Her most recent position was Executive Director/General Manager Retail Services for Target.
She has strong strategic leadership and financial management skills, with her qualifications including a BEc (Hons) from the University of Tasmania and an MBA from IMI (now IMD) Switzerland. Margot’s experience covers a broad range of business disciplines. Her directorships have included Anglesea Golf Club, RSPCA Victoria and Regional Kitchen (a social enterprise providing meals for 21 Victorian Councils). She was Deputy Chair of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation and Chair of the G21 Arts, Heritage and Culture Pillar and served as a Councillor on the Surf Coast Shire Council for 2 terms from 2012 to 2020. Her passions include golf, walking our coastal tracks, travel, reading and opera.
SUE CLARK
Sue Clark brings extensive financial and business experience to her role on the Trust. Sue has a BCom from Deakin University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League. Sue lives in Geelong and is a passionate supporter of the arts.
ROSS EBBELS
Ross brings to the Trust a lifetime of experience in the hospitality, tourism and Local Government industries, of which he is highly regarded. A graduate of Ecole Les Roche Hotel and Tourism Management School, Switzerland, he has owned and managed many venues in the Geelong region and is a senior judge for The Golden Plate Regional Restaurant awards. Ross was elected as a Councillor for the Borough of Queenscliffe in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, serving four terms as Mayor. In that time Ross held board positions on G21 Regional Alliance, Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine and the Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation. He is also a current board member of the Geelong Cemeteries Trust. He and his family are passionate about the arts and long-time visitors to the Geelong Arts Centre.
KAREN CORRY
Karen is an experienced board director and business leader with a career in digital health, finance and governance. Previously a partner at KPMG, she is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She is Chair of Peninsula Health, an associate director at Alfred Health, and a board designate director for the Bayside Health Network. She Chairs the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) an NGO operating in the justice sector. In 2024 Karen completed her board tenure of nine years at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image). She enjoys being part of the exciting and vibrant arts and culture sector, with her experience at ACMI in film, television and gaming, as well as her previous role at the Cultural Development Network in chairing the NFP which measures cultural outcomes. Her experience has a strong balance between innovation, governance, finance and risk.
KELLY MURPHY
Kelly Murphy is an accomplished Audit Director at a Big Four accounting firm, bringing financial expertise and a strong track record in leading financial assurance, risk, and compliance engagements across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Kelly is also a passionate advocate for the arts, contributing her financial acumen and strategic insight to support creative and cultural initiatives.