Governance

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.

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.

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.

KIRSTEN KILPATRICK

Kirsten Kilpatrick is an experienced town planner and a Director of NovoPlanning, a Geelong-based town planning and strategic advice consultancy. In 2017, Kirsten was awarded the Planning Institute of Australia’s Victorian Planner of the Year. Kirsten holds a BA (Urban Planning), a Graduate Diploma (Urban Planning) from Victoria University and an MBA from Deakin University. Her experience includes local government and state government, as well as the private sector, and over the past 20 years, she has provided town planning services for a range of key infrastructure and development projects, serving as a strong advocate for regional Victoria. Kirsten was a board member of the Committee for Geelong and is currently on the Planning Institute of Australia (Victoria) committee.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.