Here’s Regional Arts Victoria’s dynamic team of creative catalysts. We share a wealth of experience in all aspects of inspiring, facilitating and touring arts throughout our state. Each of us also maintains a creative practice, and we share our approaches and processes as part of our collaborations.
Jo Porter, Chief Executive Officer
Country: Dja Dja Wurrung and Boonwurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
A theatre producer and consultant in not-for-profit and commercial theatre, Jo was the Co-Producer of Victoria’s inaugural Regional Centre for Culture (2018) and has worked with independent artists as a producer and in mentorship roles. Other roles in Australia, UK and USA have included: CEO of the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, Executive Producer of Malthouse Theatre, General Manager of a range of commercial theatre productions and head of creative development at Richard Frankel Productions in New York and Head of Business Development at Really Useful Group in London. A former Chair of Back to Back Theatre, Jo is the current Chair of Chamber Made.
Susie Lyons, Director, Programming and Partnerships
Country: Gunditjmara | Pronouns She/Her
Susie Lyons is a senior arts administrator and leader with over 25 years’ experience in management in the arts and entertainment industry working internationally, nationally and regionally on wide-ranging festivals, events, concert tours and arts and culture projects. Prior to join Regional Arts Victoria’s executive leadership team in August 2022, Susie led the Arts and Culture business unit for Glenelg Shire Council for over six years, having overseen substantial change, growth and successful producing and programming of broad cultural activities, including management of the Portland Arts Centre. Through her work, Susie has been a long-time collaborator with RAV.
Kate Gerritsen, Director, Communications and Engagement
Country: Wadawurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
Kate has worked in the arts, community and cultural development sector in local and state governments, not for profit and the private sector. She brings engagement and communications experience to her role at RAV from her time managing membership at the National Gallery of Victoria and from a decade of consulting and commissioning artworks in the public realm. Kate first worked for RAV from 2006-2009 as Communications Manager and has returned in 2022. Kate studied a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Masters of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies at Deakin University and is a registered community engagement practitioner (IAP2). Kate enjoys giving back to regional communities through participation on Boards and in her spare time she is also a student and teacher of yoga.
Malcolm Sanders, Senior Manager, Regional Partnerships
Country: Wadawurrung, Djabwurrung | Pronouns: He/Him
Malcolm is an arts manager with approximately 30 years’ experience working in the industry. He began work as a teacher in the western suburbs of Melbourne, as well as working as a director of theatre in venues across Melbourne. In 1995 Malcolm obtained a Graduate Diploma of Arts and Entertainment Management from Deakin University and commenced work with Bharatam Dance Company as the General Manager. Since then he has been the Manager of Performing Arts programs for the Centre of Adult Education, General Manager of St Martins Youth Arts Centre, and General Manager of Courthouse ARTS in Geelong. Malcolm has worked for Regional Arts Victoria since 2013. He serves on the advisory committee for Deakin University’s Arts and Cultural Management courses, on the Arts, Crafts and Cookery Committee of the Melbourne Royal Show, and on the board of the Lake Bolac Bush Nursing Centre.
Stacey Barnes, Regional Manager – South West
Country: Gunditjmara | Pronouns: She/Her
Stacey is a dynamic collaborator with 14 years of global experience in the public and private sectors. Since her BA (Hons) in English with Creative Writing, she has honed her communication and stakeholder engagement skills across creative industries, events, tourism, and economic development. Stacey spent the last seven years at Southern Grampians Shire Council most recently leading strategic marketing for their two major arts venues – Hamilton Gallery and Hamilton Performing Arts Centre.
Angela Frost, Manager, North West Regional Partnerships
Country: Wamba Wamba, Wadi Wadi, Barapa Barapa | Pronouns: She/Her
Angela is a multi-award winning artist and community collaborator. She has worked within the realms of community cultural development, theatre, cultural ceremony, festivals and arts centre management in collaboration with over 35 First Nations communities. Alongside change makers, artists, young people, and Elders, she has delivered projects throughout VIC, NSW, TAS, and the NT and created over 40 new theatre works. More recently she worked with an incredible cohort of Swan Hill’s First Nations Elders and young people to create The Marruk Project, a collective using the performing arts to reclaim, celebrate, and share Indigenous culture to create deep, lasting change for the whole community.
Stacie Bobele, Manager, Making Change
Country: Wadawurrung, Gulidjan and Gadubanud | Pronouns: She/Her
Stacie is an experienced arts and communications manager, with almost 20 years’ experience in local government, higher education and the arts industry. Her relocation to the rich coastal offerings of Wadawurrung Country in the early 2000s has resulted in incredible relationships and involvement with a number of arts and community projects there. With experience in curatorial practice and arts administration, she is keenly aware of the importance of art’s role in the creation of identity and a sense of belonging within a community. In her new role as Manager, Making Change, she is looking forward to bringing together the arts communities of five municipalities – Geelong, Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and Golden Plains – to deliver a shared vision for all creatives of the G21 region.
Bindi Green, Manager, Touring
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Bunurong | Pronouns: She/Her
Bindi Green has been tour coordinator and theatre production manager, with a love for touring productions for the past 15 years. In addition to contemporary theatrical performances, Bindi has worked within arts festival and event environments, touring companies to metropolitan main stage venues, regional halls, and caravan parks around Australia, as well as international Arts Festivals. With significant experience working in the live arts sector, community based arts projects and non-traditional performance environments, Bindi works with established and emerging artists and organisations who enjoy pushing live performance into new spaces, and creating create powerful, entertaining arts experiences for audience and performers, which have a powerful impact on everyone involved.
Nikki Ralston, Connecting Places Coordinator,
Moira Hubs Project Manager & Project Evaluator
Country: Yorta Yorta, Bangerang | Pronouns: She/Her
Nikki is a lover of all things arts and culture who has found her niche using her skills to help others’ brilliant creative ideas to become a reality. She is passionate about increasing access for more people to engage with arts and culture as creators, audiences and participants. Nikki has a Master’s of Arts and Cultural Management and professional experience in both Australia and the UK. She also mentors emerging and mid-career artists and is part of the DESIAP (Designing Innovation in the Asia Pacific) Creative Women’s Mentoring Program. Nikki lives in the beautiful town of Yarrawonga on the VIC/NSW border with her young family.
Annie Stephens, Touring Coordinator
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung | Pronouns: She/They
Annie has been working in the performing arts since 1996, firstly as a circus performer, then as a trainer, and then as a program manager. Over her 19 years with Circus Oz saw her develop and deliver numerous community, corporate, education, public and industry programs. Because expression through art is so important to our well-being as individuals and as communities, supporting artists to do their best work really really floats her boat. She has formally studied: secretarial studies (a bloody long time ago, hence the old-fashioned name), massage therapy and graphic arts. Stereotype warning! She is into yoga, gardening and bush walks.
Luth (Anna) Wolff, Touring Coordinator
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
Luth has lived and breathed regional touring for over a decade as a performer and company director with Solid State Circus. She has produced solo and ensemble works for schools, theatres and events across Australia and overseas, and is 5 towns away from finishing the song “I’ve been everywhere, man”. Luth has spent time in Darwin and the Top End teaching circus to young people in First Nations communities and working on events. She has a passion for street performance and busking advocacy; bringing live art to isolated communities, and making really great jam.
Pippin Remi, Senior Manager, Creative Learning
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Boon Wurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
Pippin has a background in circus, dance and the travel industry, from circus performing to tour managing. Growing up in a regional centre, Pippin was lucky enough to experience the value of the arts and it’s ability to open up new perspectives, build lifelong skills and strengthen communities. She’s passionate about young people’s access to the arts and loves working with the incredible RAV team to support arts experiences in schools across the regions. With a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Dance and Drama), Pippin has worked as freelance performer, a travel agent, managed a community training space and as the Classes and Education Coordinator at Circus Oz before joining the team at Regional Arts Victoria. Pippin is also a yoga teacher and enjoys developing her own yoga practice and supporting others to do the same.
Nova Whineray, Creative Learning Administrator
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
Nova has extensive administrative experience and passion in delivering arts and education programs to schools throughout Victoria. Before joining the team at Regional Arts Victoria, she supported the Education and Programming teams at Orchestra Victoria, the National Gallery of Victoria, and most recently supported the Curator at the Australian Catholic University. With a background in dance and visual performance, she was choreographer and producer of Rock Eisteddfod Challenge productions for secondary and primary schools. Nova grew up in Tokyo, Japan and currently lives in the beautiful Macedon Ranges.
Stephanie Clark, Coordinator, Future Reset
Country: Wurundjeri | Pronouns: She/Her
Growing up in West Gippsland, Stephanie experienced first hand the impact that art has in a small town. She was given opportunities to learn, create, grow and develop which led to her own theatre company at 18 years of age, and multiple original plays to have been produced. Stephanie feels exceptionally passionate about assisting, supporting and building up the lives of young people, and incredibly grateful that it’s to do with art. With a Bachelor of Arts (Drama), Stephanie has been working with a performing arts school as Teacher/Assist Manager/Production Manager hybrid for over eight years now. Stephanie is excited to be taking on the role of Coordinating the Future Reset Program and feels incredibly lucky to be joining the RAV team.
Claire Miovich, Communications and Development Coordinator
Country: Wadawurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
Claire has worked in marketing and communication positions within the not-for-profit arts sector for over ten years, most recently at Heide Museum of Modern Art as the Head of Marketing. Prior to her time at Heide, she worked in various roles within the creative industries, developing a broad skill base across administration, event coordination, budget management, sponsorship and partnership management. She has also completed postgraduate studies in both Arts Management (RMIT) and Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Deakin University).
Rhiannon Poley, Digital Content Coordinator
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung | Pronouns: She/Her
Rhiannon is a chameleon marketing professional who has adapted for a few different communications and engagement roles with RAV since 2020. She also has a background in marketing for video games, as well as managing her own visual art business. Coupled with the odd adhoc extras or modelling gig and being a funding assessor for VicScreen, Rhiannon knows and loves the digital world.
Nell Ustundag, Membership Engagement Coordinator
Country: Gadubanud | Pronouns: She/Her
Nell is an arts administrator living and working on Gadubanud country along the Great Ocean Road. She was born and raised in the shadow of Lincoln Centre on New York City’s Upper West Side before moving to Melbourne for University. She has spent the last 20 years administering loans and exhibitions for some of Australia’s wonderful collecting institutions, including Museums Victoria, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Ian Potter Museum and the Bernd Museum of Anthropology. She believes in the transformative power of the arts and is a staunch advocate for the vital importance of visual and performing arts in schools and communities beyond urban centres.
Bec Grech, Membership Coordinator
Country: Wurundjeri | Pronouns: They/Them
Bec has been an active member of the Naarm/Melbourne community broadcasting sector & music industry for the past 7 years; volunteering and working at Triple R, SYN Media and as a freelance DJ and events producer. Their involvement in radio has spanned announcing, producing, membership administration, events production, engagement and strategy. Joining RAV from SYN Media, Bec previously managed SYN’s community building, professional development events and most recently spearheaded an all ages, accessible, day party to celebrate 20 years of SYN. Driven by community, connection and collaboration, Bec is excited to be working with RAV’s membership community.
Alexander Hammond, Salesforce Administrator
Country: Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung | Pronouns: He/Him
Alex helps people with Salesforce CRM by finding ways to make life easier with data automation and creates meaningful stories with data about communities.
Amelia Kingston, Grants Manager
Country: Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali | Pronouns: She/Her
Amelia started work as a potter in Stawell when she was 16 years old. She had an amazing teacher who inspired her to keep creating and to keep learning. She went on to complete a degree in Literature & Philosophy, minoring in Arts, then completed an honours year in ceramics. Amelia the worked as Primary school Art/music/classroom teacher for the next 13 years, whilst also working on her pottery. In the past 7 years Amelia has worked a part time teacher, using the rest of her time to concentrate on her pottery and business AKA, being a mum, grant writing for local schools. Amelia loves her regional community and strives to bring arts and experiences to her local area and schools. Amelia chairs the Community Reference group of Grampians Health, Deputy chairs the Grampians Health Community Advisory committee, manages the Halls Gap Twilight Market and Halls Gap Primary School Market and writes grants for many local businesses, organizations and schools in the region.
Kate Antonas, Company Manager
Country: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Bunurong | Pronouns She/Her
Kate comes to RAV with more than 15 years’ experience in the not-for-profit cultural sector in senior roles across programming, gallery operations, development and arts administration in regional and metropolitan Western Australia and Victoria. Overseas, she applied her creative project management skills to festival contexts and produced grassroots multi-art platforms in Southeast Asia and Europe. With a focus on collaboration and building meaningful community partnerships, she has led small and passionate teams to deliver ambitious artistic programs that have transformed spaces and forged creative and economic pathways for emerging artists and practitioners. Kate sits on the Slow Food Melbourne committee and is currently on a personal mission to find the best vanilla slice in the state.
Leila Dashti, Finance Coordinator
Country: Wurundjeri Willum | Pronouns She/Her
Leila studied Bachelor of Accounting at LaTrobe University (Melbourne) after graduating from the Kangan Institution. She was a qualified accountant in Iran and has updated her education to comply with the Australian Standards.
She has held several finance, accounting, management roles across different sectors and industries, including Farsar Tejarat Medical Engineering Company | Iran, Mohsen Group | Iran & UAE, ASRC | Australia-Victoria, RH Painting | Australia-Victoria, Finance Administrator–Body Safety A | Australia-Victoria, and Whittlesea Community Connections | Australia-Victoria. With extensive accounting and finance experience, Leila is a highly organised multi-tasker who contributes positively to impact team success. Leila is knowledgeable about enforcing company standards, employment regulations and Accounting best practices. Her key strengths are planning, organisational problem-solving, and is responsive to changing business needs and regulatory standards.