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Project Advisory Group Members
On behalf of the Creative Industries Strategy, we are pleased to announce the first members of the Strategy's Project Advisory Group. With a comprehensive set of skills and experiences the group represents a broad knowledge of the arts and their communities.
ABOUT:
The South West Creative Industries Strategy, What it Means, is a regional-level plan for supporting the needs of the local creative sector. With input from the community, government, peak bodies and audiences, What it Means has a goal to support beneficial and sustainable creative industries in South West Victoria.
In order to support the implementation of the Strategy, the Project Advisory Group's role is to provide advice and support for the implementation of the Strategy. The group includes representatives from the local arts, business, and cultural community, ensuring the work remains relevant and impactful over the four year implementation timeline.
MEET THE MEMBERS:
Loren Tuck has over 10 years of strategy and project management experience in local government, emergency services and festivals. She has formal qualifications in journalism, education and emergency management and is currently leading delivery of new national hydrogen training programs and other clean energy projects with Deakin University. As a member of Port Fairy Winter Weekends for six years, she loves exploring how creative industries and projects can energise south west Victorian communities to be more connected to place, to each other and to the world at large.
Shane Bell has an established background in Aboriginal community development and governance in both a professional and community level. Shane continues building his capacity being an advocate in the conversations and aspirations the community have towards self-determination. Shane is new to his involvement in the creative arts industries but is committed across sectors to working closely with community and stakeholders on strategic planning to confront critical social issues relating to positive family relationships and improving community access to economic outcomes such as education, employment and training.
Anthea Rafferty is a passionate visual artist and educator residing in Warrnambool. Her teaching and artistic practice are inspired by her love of learning, experimentation and the connectedness she feels when working with individuals or groups in the community. Anthea continues to build capacity through her advocacy for the arts, underpinned by the belief that visual arts can enrich and change lives. Anthea holds both Bachelor of Arts majoring in Fine Arts Studio and Graphic Design and a Graduate Diploma of Education, Secondary. Anthea is currently working full-time at Warrnambool College teaching Media, Visual Communication & Design, Architecture, Art and Ceramics to students from years 7 to 12.
Annabel Cussen has lived and worked in Warrnambool for most of her life and has a deep passion for community led projects with genuine social impact. A mother of two, (and wife to one) she is the Executive Officer for the South West Community Foundation, a board member of the Leadership Great South Coast program and also WDEA Works disability employment services. She is also currently the Development Officer at Warrnambool Art Gallery. Her professional background covers both government and not-for-profit sectors across the fields of economic development, communications, community engagement, education, grants management and philanthropy.
Jayden Bath is the founder and festival director of Loch Hart Music Festival, and a planning and environment lawyer at MinterEllison. Loch Hart Music Festival is a three-day music and arts festival hosted on the Great Ocean Road in Princetown. Launching in 2018, Loch Hart has hosted over 40 Australian acts, 5 comedians, and grown to almost 1,000 attendees. In 2020, Loch Hart was a long-list finalist for Music Victoria’s Best Festival Award, and Jayden was listed in The Music Network’s 30 Under 30 Awards. As a lawyer, Jayden specialises in obtaining planning and environment approvals for major projects and developments.
Sherry Johnstone is a proud Keerray Woorroong woman and artist. She has worked in the local Aboriginal community for the last 27 years, providing cultural and educational support to Aboriginal children as a Koorie Educator. In 2019 Sherry became the first, First Nations Curator of Cultural Engagement at the Warrnambool Art Gallery for two years before resigning to become a full time Contemporary Aboriginal Artist running her own business, Spirit and Soul Creations. Sherry is passionate about sharing her culture to help create a greater understanding and awareness, building respectful relationships , moving towards a better future working together.