Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee

Alli contributed actively to the 2020-2022 ACAC Committee and has been reappointed to the 2022-2024. She is experienced in all aspects of the committee role. Alli has a Bachelor of Arts Photography (Fine Art and Commercial Photography) and a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design - Graphic Design). She has worked full time as a graphic designer in Nillumbik for almost two decades and has collaborated with Nillumbik Shire Council over those years, designing various arts, community and cultural projects. Alli has lived in Eltham for 12 years and feels most at home surrounded by the trees and birds. She loves that her job allows her to be creative every day. Alli is immersed in many areas of our local arts and culture. Over the course of her term on the Committee she has been actively engaged in the judging of youth art competitions, shortlisting finalists for the literary awards, allocating heritage, arts and community grant funding, shortlisting and selecting responses for a COVID-19 pandemic public art displays, and approving the purchases of new acquisitions for Shire’s Art Collection.

Chloe works at Araluen, a local organisation service for adults with a disability, where she is a support worker and the Arts Connect Coordinator. She has worked in the disability/allied health sector for six years in a range of roles and responsibilities, each of which has given her insight and connection to people and families living with disability. Chloe is interested in the therapeutic and connective value of the arts and the ways in which they can contribute to relationships and community. Chloe’s curiosity and interest in this area led her to further study in a Master of Arts in Public spaces, Art Therapy, and a certificate in Disability. Chloe's studies have given her experience working in a collaborative cross-sectional team as well as dealing with ethical issues associated with producing work in the public realm. Chloe’s role at Araluen aligns with her values of care, understanding and creativity. She brings vital knowledge of the disability sector to the Committee along with expert knowledge of NDIS and DHS policy and regulation.

Leanne was a very active member of the 2020-22 ACAC Committee and has been re-appointed. She is experienced in all aspects of the role. Leanne is a practicing local artist with strong connections to community. She lives and volunteers in Nillumbik and has been a U3A arts tutor for six years. Leanne taught arts, drama and debating at Eltham High for 40 years and is now retired. Leanne has been involved in many community art projects and local exhibitions. As an active Arts & Culture audience member and organiser, she has an excellent awareness of Arts & Culture in Nillumbik.

Elsa is an arts professional currently working in Collections Management at McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery. She has been involved with a number of art spaces, including Gertrude Contemporary. Elsa has a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies (Deakin) and a Graduate Certificate in Fine Arts (Art in the Public Space), RMIT. She is passionate about moving art out of the 'white cube' and into the public space. She is currently completing a Master of Art Curatorship at the University of Melbourne. Elsa has excellent knowledge on best practice in the museum and gallery space, in addition to collections and curatorial skills, Elsa also has over a decade’s experience in the arts, community development and advocacy, and has previously worked in community development in the Western suburbs with diverse cultural groups. Elsa has lived in Eltham with her family for 7 years and has extensive knowledge of the arts landscape (both locally and in the broader Melbourne metro area). She is actively engaged in Nillumbik arts and culture. Elsa is passionate about the local community and about advocating for the arts and engaging the community in the arts. She strongly believes in engaging all diverse groups in the community.

Rebecca contributed actively to the 2020-2022 ACAC Committee and was reappointed to the 2022-2024 Committee. She is experienced in all aspects of the role. Rebecca has been a resident of Nillumbik for many years, having grown up in Diamond Creek, where her ancestors arrived in the 1860's. She has a strong connection to the heritage of Nillumbik. Rebecca has cultural heritage expertise and is also a local visual artist specialising in photography. She has a B.APP Sci in Photography and a Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies. Rebecca is passionate about local history and community exhibitions. She has expertise in collections management and digitalisation (Museums Vic). Rebecca is actively engaged in arts and culture in Nillumbik and has strong knowledge of the Shire's creative landscape.

Terrie is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor of Languages and Cultures at La Trobe University. During her academic career in Screen and Media Studies at La Trobe, she held the roles of Director of Research by Higher Degree (Humanities 2013-2016) and Head of Creative Arts and English (2017-2019). Terrie is a resident of Eltham and the author of several published books, chapters and peer reviewed articles. During her PhD, she wrote extensively for the arts journal The Melburnian (formerly The Melbourne Report), interviewing theatre practitioners and authors. Having initially trained as an actor at the Victorian College of the Arts before working in film, television, and theatre, she has always been invested in the value and potential of the arts sector. In 2021, Terrie was involved in a collaborative project with Montsalvat and La Trobe University - Filming Young Writers at Montsalvat – which inspired her interest in the cultural landscape of Nillumbik. Terrie’s careers, first as a performer and then an academic with significant leadership roles, gives her a unique perspective on the arts. Her vast experience and skills are unique and add strength to the Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee.

Chris is a practicing artist, a natural history expert, presenter and image maker. Chris has had a rewarding career that has taken him all over the world photographing, filming, presenting and leading expeditions. He is driven by his passion to connect people with the natural world. Chris is currently a presenter at the Melbourne Zoo and a guest lecturer for multiple international companies. Chris's professional work has allowed him to be based anywhere in the world. Chris chose to live locally because of the region’s natural beauty. In recent years, Chris has pursued further education, building on his science degree obtained in 2005. Chris has recently completed several post graduate courses in film making and a post graduate certificate in creative arts at Deakin University (2021). He is currently undertaking an honours degree in visual arts at Deakin. Chris's work focusses on connecting local people to their local natural environment. He has facilitated multiple community art projects including street art and online workshops and has publicly displayed his short films. Chris has been involved in arts programs through Council since 2020, successfully delivering a Live July program and a Nillumbik Artist in Own Residence project for and with the Nillumbik Community. He has recently completed an artist residency at Ivanhoe Library and Gallery. Chris is highly motivated to being part of a process that continues to improves our community and to help others artists thrive in the region.

Mel has worked for many years as a visual artist, a children's theatre performer and a youth worker. She brings expertise in social work/youth development to the committee. Mel has lived in Eltham for 10 years and is actively engaged in arts and culture in Nillumbik. She has many connections in the community through her art, family and personal interests. Mel completed a youth-focused Nillumbik Artist in Own Residence project in May 2022. Mel is energetic, has strong communication skills and is a highly motivated person. She loves hearing people's stories. Mel also has experience working in diverse communities and a passion for multiculturalism, reconciliation and connecting (isolated) communities and people.

Jean is a historian and archivist. She is an active and involved member of the Nillumbik community. Now retired, she lives on the farm she grew up on, North of Hurstbridge, and has deep and abiding family, social and community ties covering four generations. Jean has been a member, volunteer, and committee member of the Nillumbik Historical Society for 16 years and has been President for four years. She has exceptional research and IT skills. Jean brings with her a deep knowledge of local history and also specific arts and culture historical knowledge. This will enhance the knowledge of the Committee and help inform current arts and culture goals. Jean is also a member of the Yarra Plenty Heritage Network and is able to draw on this expertise as an adjunct to her own.