A New Board for a new circus chapter
14 October 2022
On Wednesday 12th October we took a breath to stop and look back on what we had achieved in the last financial year. There are always wonderful things to find and remember from that year. Have a read of this Annual Report to get an overview.
ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
The other exciting task to undertake is to invite new board members to take the saddle and help guide this circus through the wild waters of change and opportunity. With growing investment, and an expansion in the number of programs we are managing, our organisation needs stable hands to ensure we stay on track. We are very grateful to the following humans who have agreed to join us on this journey. We acknowledge that they do so for no huge personal benefit to themselves, but offer a huge benefit to the success and growth of CircusWA.
Gavin, Natalie, Andi and Sarah will continue on from last year. We welcome new board members Liz, Richie, Renee and Adelaide:
MEET THE CIRCUS BOARD
GAVIN CORFIELD
Gavin followed his children to CircusWA as a student and joined the board in 2018. He is currently chair of CircusWA and has been since 2019. Gavin is a Mathematics graduate of Cambridge University and after 6 years in the not for profit sector working for “Youth Hostel Association” in the UK now works as a software engineer for Rio Tinto.
Having Worked in mining Gavin has good governance and policy implementation experience which will contribute to the next phase in the development of CircusWA.
SARAH GREEN
Sarah is Executive Director at NeuroCircus Pty Ltd and Artistic Director at Kaleido Company. She is a psychological scientist and performing artist, specialising in theatrical circus arts, in particular, aerials and adagio. Her works often draw on scientific research to add a unique level of depth. In recent years she has produced, directed and performed in productions on a local, regional and international scale. Sarah also teaches workshops in a variety of disciplines with a focus on the therapeutic benefits of circus.
ANDREA ROWE
Andrea is the CFO for TAMS Group, a diverse marine services business operating across Australia and PNG. She is also the co-owner and Director of The Freo Merchant, a hospitality business in Fremantle. Andrea is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Accounting, and she is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management. She has been involved with CircusWA for the past few years now and thoroughly enjoys being part of an Arts organisation that makes incredible contributions to the culture and community in Fremantle and WA.
NATALIE BELL
I have more than 20 years experience in the screen production and live performance industries. Currently I am the Head of Production at Fremantle based Prospero Productions and oversees the day-to-day management of all productions and contributes to the broader strategic planning of the company. Prior to joining Prospero Productions, I was the Executive Producer of the iconic Western Australian theatre company, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, where I oversaw the strategic and financial operations. I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies) and a Graduate Diploma in Producing and Screen Business from the Australia Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).
Having served in operational and senior management roles, I am ready to use my knowledge and expertises in a governance role, and believe I can contribute to the next stage of strategic growth for CircusWA with my knowledge of the performing arts sector. As the Executive Producer at Spare Parts Puppet Theatre I served on the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) and the Business Development/Marketing sub-committees. I also have experience in strategic planning for a not for profit organisation.
RICHARD LONGBOTTOM
Richard works as People and Culture Manager for Wide Open Agriculture, Australia’s leading ASX-listed regenerative food and agriculture company.
Richard spent most of his career in the creative sector, beginning as a dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, then across performing arts community, education, and leadership in Australia and internationally. Richard was General Manager of Tasdance (TAS) and Executive Director of Co3 Contemporary Dance (WA). Richard has held multiple roles in the community and education space, including for West Australian Ballet, Co3, and Dancenorth. In his home of Aotearoa New Zealand, Richard consulted for Nga Rangatahi Toa as Director, Strategy and Investment. A common thread through his work is nurturing people, a curiosity to challenge the status quo, and a desire to cultivate positive and engaging workplaces.
RENEE TAIATANI
I am a Maori woman raised on Whadjuk boodja and have strong cultural and social values that greatly influence both personal and professional pursuits. Beginning my career in the Community Services sector, I focused on youth and families within the cultural and arts space, and developed skills in program management. I managed programs in visual, circus and performing arts which engaged at-risk and marginalized youth.
I have recently completed a BArts Anthropology and Sociology with 1st Class Honors. Currently I am a community development officer (EDI) in local government. I am passionate about increasing access, inclusion and equity, particularly across culturally and socially diverse cohorts. I am also passionate about social and cultural revitalization and regenerative initiatives that enhance individual and collective identity and believe that the arts can and does provide opportunities to reach these outcomes.
LIZ LEDGER
Liz Ledger is an experienced leader, project manager, marketing and communications specialist. Currently employed as the CEO at the Town of Claremont, Liz has 30 years of experience in the local government sector. With tertiary qualifications in Arts Management and Business, Liz has initiated community development programs that strengthen community connections and likes to work collaboratively to achieve goals. Liz is driven by making a positive difference to either the community she serves or the people she works with, and believes creativity is fundamental to this process.
ADELAIDE HARNEY
Adelaide Harney is a Lighting designer and Theatre Maker who has been working and creating in Australia for the last 6 years. A graduate of the Victorian college of the arts in Production technology, She started her theatre career in Naraam (Melbourne) designing and managing Live performances that were in the genres of physical theatre, dance, cabaret, and circus. She moved to Boorloo (Perth) in 2020 and worked for the Perth Festival, the Arts Cultural trust, and a range of independent artists to create new works at the Blue Room Theatre. Adelaide works in a collaborative manner and with the intention to produce new works by new Artists. She is excited by the growth and potential of the WA arts community and the future of the circus community here. Joining the Board of Circus WA is an exciting opportunity for Adelaide one she is keen too meet with open-mindedness, ambition, and passion to create a bright future for Circus and performance in WA.