GOVERNANCE
Management Committee
The Narooma School of Arts & Soldiers’ War Memorial Hall Inc is a not-for-profit incorporated association with its management undertaken by a volunteer Management Committee working to the objectives of its constitution. The Committee meets monthly and convenes the AGM each year. Where required, the Committee appoints working groups dedicated to specific activities.
President: Jenni Bourke
Jenni Bourke has lived in Narooma for over 60 years. She is an award-winning artists and an educator with more than 40 years professional experience as an Art teacher at both school and TAFE Levels.
Jenni designed and coordinated the painting of several Narooma murals and has owned and operated three Narooma retail outlets. In addition to her ongoing creative practice, Jenni runs ceramics and pottery classes for the local community.
Vice President: Bob Aston
Bob Aston is a former NSW Department of Education teacher, principal and director. Bob worked in remote and regional NSW, often in locations experiencing significant social disadvantage. He has extensive experience in leadership, organisation and change management and policy development.
Bob’s ongoing focus on the Management Committee is the development and implementation of organisational systems to ensure Narooma School of Arts is a sustainable and vibrant contribution to the Narooma Community.
Treasurer: Maree Philip
With over 16 years of experience in event, project, and budget management, Maree Philip excelled as a Senior Account Manager at Earlybird Events.
Specialising in high profile events for Australian governments and international organisations, she has successfully led notable projects including: Launch of the National Arboretum in Canberra; Launch of the Centenary Trail in Canberra; Opening of the Cotter Dam extensions; Australia Awards Welcome and Farewell Events; Prime MInister’s XI Corporate Hospitality; Veterans Employment Awards.
Secretary/ Public Officer: Laurelle Pacy
Laurelle Pacey OAM brings to the Narooma School of Arts her media, public relations and research skills gained fro her long careers as an agricultural scientist, journalist, broadcaster and historian.
Laurelle was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to the community and local history in 2019. She is also President of Narooma Historical Society and on the Board of the Rotary Club of Narooma.
Member: Petti McInnes
Petti McInnes is an artist with over 30 years’ experience managing arts festivals and various events for governments and corporations and has served as a grants assessor for the Australia Council for the Arts.
Petti was the Director of the Cultural Program for the 2000 royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. She was also Director of the 2015 Margaret River Wine Festival and Event Manager for the 2022 River of Art Festival.
Member: Barbara McConchie
Barbara McConchie is a visual artist, curator and arts administrator with over 36 years’ experience.
Barbara was Manager of the Australian National University School of Art and Design; Director of Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre; Arts Handler for the Australian War Memorial; Manager of Beaver Galleries and an Edition Printer and Access Coordinator for Studio One Print Workshop in Canberra.
Barbara served on the ACT Legislative Assembly Art Advisory Committee and the Megalo Print Studio Board.
Member: Ann Espinoza
Ann Espinoza worked as a graphic designer for over 40 years, specialising in outdoor advertising and marketing. She is a practicing artist with a Diploma in Sculpture and an Advanced Diploma in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking.
Ann was born and educated in Narooma then relocated to Sydney to undertake further studies in art and to pursue her career as a graphic designer. She returned to live in Narooma in 2019.
Member: Yvonne Adams
Yvonne Adams studied Art & Design in the United Kingdom. She has lived in Narooma for 43 years.
Yvonne worked as. a Student Welfare and Engagement Officer, supporting schools across the Eden-Monaro region, before returning to an executive role at Narooma High School.
She has a Masters of Special Education, and is committed to improving access to education and the creative arts. Her own creative practice is eclectic and forever a challenge.
Member: Michael Badman
Michael Badman B. Arch, B. Sc (Arch) has a 40 year career in Architecture/Master Planning, and animation/cartooning.
Michael has designed and contract-managed residential, commercial and community buildings - including a church and hospital. Master Planning includes Orange Sports Precinct, Parkes Christian School and a Royal Flying Doctor Service 10 year Strategic Plan.
Michael is a Walt Disney studios award-winning, senior animator, and is crrently working on a Fox Studios project. He has been a cartoonist for several newspapers and publications.
Member: Alison Bogg
Alison Bogg is a multidisciplinary artist with a professional background in set and costume design and fabrication.
Alison is a Design Graduate of the National Institue of Dramatic Art, and has worked across theatre, film, television, and major events for leading cultural organisations.
Her credits include projects with the Melbourne Theatre Company, Opera Australia, ABC, SBS, and the Sydney Olympic Games. Alison’s costume work is represented in the collections of the Powerhouse Museum and the National Museum of Australia.
Working Groups
The NSoA working groups report to the Management Committee at monthly meetings.
NACC Project Sub Committee
The NAC Project Subcommittee was appointed by the School of Arts management committee specifically to drive the NAC Project and liaise with architects, funding representatives and the Project Managers. All members of the Project Subcommittee have skills and experience relevant to this task.
Member: Bob Aston
Member: Russell Burke
Member: Rob Hawkins
Member: Laurelle Pacey
Member: Jenni Bourke
Member: Barbara McConchie
Funding Sub Committee
Member: Yvonne Adams - see bio above
Member: Danielle Griffin
Member: Jane Barney
Member: Marion Devitt
Member: Danielle Griffin
Danielle Griffin is a Partnership Program Manager at the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR). Danielle has extensive experience across corporate and not-for-profit organisations in marketing, partnership development and program delivery, as well as managing philanthropic and corporate partnerships.
Danielle’s work with FRRR and the Australian Red Cross informs her deep understanding of all aspects of philanthropy and community development.
Member: Jane Barney
Jane Barney has over 40 years’ experience as an arts administrator. She was Director of Canberra Contemporary Arts Space, Manager of the ACT Public Art Program and had oversight of the Australian Government’s funding for remote First Nations’ art centres and peak bodies.
More recently, Jane developed successful funding bids for Desart and the National Gallery of Australia, as well as a Strategic Plan for Artbank Australia.
Member: Marian Devitt
Marian Devitt has 20 years’ experience in management roles in Education.
As inaugural Director of the Northern Territory Writers’ Centre, Marian secured operational and project funding from the NT and Australian Governments to establish a suite of services and national advocacy for Northern Territory writers and writing.
Marian has post-graduate qualifications in Education, Library and Information Science, a Master of Arts in Literature and Writing and is a published writer of prose, poetry and plays.
NSoA Strategic Plan
The Narooma School of Arts (NSOA) has developed its Strategic Plan to clearly define its vision for the future and outline the steps it will take to achieve it. It focuses our efforts towards upholding the principle responsibility to manage and enhance the Narooma School of Arts land and facilities.
Owned by the Narooma community since 1895, the NSoA is a home for the arts and learning in Narooma and its surrounds.
NSoA Constitution
The Narooma School of Arts & Soldiers’ War Memorial Hall Inc Management Committee reviewed its constitution in 2023. This was done in response to updates in the NSW Legisation under the Associations Incorporated Regulations 2022 and the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 No. 7.
This updated constitution incorporates the latest legal requirements and best practice governance standards, ensuring that the organisation remains compliant and protects itself and stakeholders from potential risks.
The updated constitution was put to the members for endorsement at a Special General Meeting (SGM) on 10 January 2024. It was unanimously supported by the attendees at the meeting. As per the existing constitution, a second SGM was held four weeks later on 7 February 2024. The decision of the first SGM was supported at this meeting. The updated constitution was ratified at the AGM on 9 April 2024.
