The presenters

Aleshia Lonsdale (Arts OutWest)

Aleshia is a proud Wiradjuri woman based Mudgee in Central Western NSW. As the Aboriginal Arts Development Officer for Arts OutWest she sees the Arts not only a vehicle for intergenerational cultural transmission but also as a tool which allows the audience to view the world through a First Nations lens. Aleshia is responsible for advocating and supporting Aboriginal Artists and Communities across the region, providing advice and assistance and supporting skill development opportunities. She also curates the Kew-Y-Ahn Gallery at Hartley which is a gallery for contemporary Aboriginal Arts from across the region.

Amanda Spalding

Amanda has been a senior manager in the public sector in England and NSW for over 30 years. Amanda was the General Manager of Hay Shire Council in the Riverina and has been the Deputy General Manager or a Director of Sydney Councils Parramatta, Manly, Rockdale and Fairfield and of North Lincolnshire Council in the UK. Amanda has also been an Executive Director and Chief Information Officer in the NSW Government, and a Director of TAFE NSW.

Anthony Doyle (Business HQ)

A business strategist, with a background in Design and Importing, Anthony has worked in some of Australia’s best known companies and worked in Global retail buying capacity including product strategy for the five largest retailers in Australia.

Christine McMillan (Arts OutWest)

Christine McMillan is Arts and Health Coordinator. Christine’s focus is to provide the opportunity to engage in the arts, for residents, staff and carers in health and aged care settings. This engagement benefits wellbeing by keeping people connected, engaged and active. Christine is a visual artist, she was a director of Cementa for 5 years and has a background in visual arts teaching. She delights in presenting visual arts workshops and organising music and performance programs in residential care settings.

Finsura

Finsura is an insurance company with specialist knowledge of the arts and creative industries.

Fran Charge (Arts OutWest)

An appointed member of the Board of Arts OutWest and current Chair, Fran is also a member of the AOW Advisory Council as a representative of Oberon Council. Fran is a committed, enthusiastic and ethical professional with over 30+ years of experience in roles across the Education, Arts, Health and Tourism Sectors. With strong team leadership, communication and negotiation skills, Fran has the ability to demonstrate empathy and resilience. Her many skills include the developing and implementing new initiatives within community groups and work places, while successfully delivering numerous arts projects.

Hayley Barrett (Business HQ)

A specialist digital advisor, Hayley has an extensive background in branding, marketing, digital strategy and business modelling. Working both locally and internationally in the start-up sector, Hayley is at the cutting edge of digital business solutions and digital business models. With an accomplished marketing background in National Media, Hayley is substantially experienced at digital communication techniques.

Kate Smith (Arts OutWest)

Kate Smith(PhD) is an independent performing artist and actress with over twenty years’ experience creating, writing and touring comedic works for stage.  She is a qualified and registered Senior Yoga and meditation teacher, retreat leader and creative mentor. Kate has a unique insight into the highs and lows of living a rich creative life and combines her skills in health and wellbeing to support her career drawing on 20 years of yoga and meditation practice and facilitation.

Lifeline Central West

Lifeline Central West’s territory covers 1/3 of rural, regional NSW delivering telephone crisis support, problem gambling help counselling & financial counselling through offices in Bathurst, Orange & Dubbo. Lifeline Central West enjoys strong community support in its ongoing campaign to address the rural suicide crisis, mental health issues, domestic and family violence and a wide range of other issues that exist within the broader community.

Madi Young (The Corner Store Gallery, Orange)

Madeline is a practising artist living and working in Orange, NSW. Madeline completed a degree in Fine Arts at the University of Newcastle in 2009. She has since worked as the artist in residence at an educational institution from 2010 – 2014. Madeline is the owner and Director of The Corner Store Gallery in East Orange which opened in 2014. Through the gallery she hopes to share her love of all types of art and design. Madeline also teaches regular workshops covering a range of materials and mediums ranging from watercolour techniques, crochet and weaving through to jewellery-making.

Maryanne Jaques (Arts OutWest)

Maryanne joined Arts OutWest as Communications Officer in 2007 and clearly loves it so much she’s still here. She switched to part-time in 2016 and now job-shares the position. Maryanne has a background in festivals, events and performing arts across admin, production and marketing. Maryanne has experience in managing content and writing for magazines, online, radio, TV and the stage.

Monica Davidson (Creative Plus Business)

Monica Davidson is the Doyenne of Creative Plus Business. She is the lead business advisor for C+B, key consultant and conducts most of their workshops. Monica loves working with more experienced businesses and arts organisations. She is C+B’s keynote specialist and the loudest person in the office. She adores salty language, and has no idea where the tea towels live, even after all this time.

Steven Cavanagh (Arts OutWest)

Steven Cavanagh is an artist, curator and educator who works across multiple arts organisations in NSW. Steven now works for Arts OutWest as part-time Communications Officer and job shares the position. He brings a strong background in graphic design to the role. Highlights include the thrill of live radio, writing a weekly arts column for the Western Advocate, supporting talented and diverse regional artists, curating exhibitions, running workshops and creating a network of Media Associates across our region. Steven has a BFA, Hons, MFA in Photomedia. He is a lecturer at the National Art School and the Australian Centre for Photography in Sydney. He was a board member with the ACP from 2016-2019 and currently sits on several regional arts advisory panels.

Suzanne Derry (Arts Law) Suzanne Derry is the Senior Solicitor at the Arts Law Centre of Australia, where she has worked for over 10 years. Suzanne has worked for a number of community legal centres and a boutique entertainment law practice. Suzanne provides legal advice on a copyright, contract, defamation, debt and business structures. Suzanne enjoys educating artists about their rights and providing practical advice across a range of arts areas.

Tracey Callinan (Arts OutWest) Tracey has been the Executive Director at Arts OutWest since 2009. She strongly believes in the ability of arts and culture to support regional communities through their economic, cultural and social value. She enjoys bringing people together and facilitating partnerships and collaborations both within the arts and with other sectors. Tracey returned to the NSW central west region after managing arts and creativity programs at Creative Partnerships with Arts Council England, Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Future Music in Adelaide, as well as having worked extensively as a teacher and a musician in various parts of the world. She sits on numerous advisory boards and panels and is a board member of Lifeline Central West.