PP&VA Staff
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Victoria Harbutt.
Victoria Harbutt has been Curator, Special Projects for Penrith Performing & Visual Arts since 2007. Immediate to this she was Curator for Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest (2003 – 2007).
Previously, Victoria curated exhibitions for the Australian Museum’s djamu Gallery at Customs House; was International Client Services Manager for Phillips International Fine Art Auctioneers and was a Director of the Sydney Fringe Festival from 1995 – 1998.
She has worked as a choreographer and director of her own dance based performance work as well as a choreographer, dancer and director of both professional and community performance projects for organisations such as Sydney Theatre Company; Belvoir St Theatre; Teatro Doppio; Flying Fruit Fly Circus; El Sharek Arabic Theatre; Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; Carnivale; Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre; Museum of Contemporary Arts, Sydney; Art Gallery of NSW; The Rockmelons; and the Xylouris Ensemble.
Victoria Harbutt has a B.A. Communication degree from UTS, Sydney, and 20 years dance training in Classical Ballet (R.A.D), Jazz Dance (Alvin Ailey) and Russian Character Dance (Moseiyev).
Katrina Douglas. Director – Performing Arts
Katrina Douglas was appointed Director – Performing Arts (and Producer Q Theatre Compay) in September 2008. She was previously Project Manager Metro Screen and Artistic Director Powerhouse Youth Theatre (2001-05). Katrina has a Masters of Arts Administration (College of Fine Art, University of NSW).
James Fischer. Director, Performing Arts Education
James Fischer was appointed Director, Performing Arts Education 1 July 2011. Previously James Fischer was (Acting) Producer – Q Theatre Company from July 2007 to September 2008. From 2006-2007 he worked as Education and Audience Development Officer (Theatre and Music), at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. Previously he worked as a Head of Department (2003-2004) and Teacher (1996-2005) for Drama / English at secondary schools in NSW, QLD, SA and the UK.
In 2004 James completed a Masters degree in Creative Industries (Arts Administration and Drama Teaching) at QUT, previously completing a Bachelor of Education in 1995 (Griffith University). In his capacity as producer and arts educator James Fischer has devised and produced a diverse range of youth arts, education and performance programs across theatre, music and dance art-forms
John Reed. Consulting Chief Financial Officer
John Reed was appointed Consulting Chief Financial Officer of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts Limited in May 2008. He comes to PP&VA with a strong commercial and financial background, commencing in the motor industry in Newcastle where he became General Manager and Director of one of the largest Ford Dealerships in the State at that time (1966-1973). Thereafter (1974-1981) he took up the position of General Manager for Australia of a distributor of Industrial and Construction Machinery.
Over the years since up to 2008 whilst conducting his business, John served as a Councilor of Penrith City Council (1992-1996), worked strongly in the disability sector, particularly for advocacy of the rights of people with disability.
Currently John is a director of Akubra Hat Pty Ltd, director Australian Foundation for Disability Limited (one of the largest deliverer of services to the disabled in Australia), and a director of a Penrith based information, networking and investment company, Olatype Pty Ltd. John Reed is a Fellow of Certified Practising Accountants of Australia (FCPA) and a Justice of the Peace.
PERFORMING ARTS STAFF:
Valda Silvy. Producer, Music
Valda Silvy was appointed Producer, Music 1 July 2011. Previously she was Director of the Penrith Conservatorium (2005-2001), General Manager and Head of the Penrith Conservatorium at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (1990-2005). Prior to this she was Director of Programs and Music Department of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (1989-1990). Valda Silvy’s work as Musical Director and curator for productions at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre included a George Gershwin centenary concert, a tribute to Cole Porter, Korean Cultural Festival, annual piano festival, costume displays from Opera Australia, Jewish Holocaust exhibition, art exhibition from the Central Desert- featuring Clifford Possum, plus many others.
Valda Silvy was Secretary/ Music Co-coordinator, Penrith City Council Music Centre (1978-1989); Secretary/ Musical Director for the Nepean District Music Club (1976-1982); Secretary (Penrith Region) Australian Music Education Board (1974 - ongoing); part- time Community Arts Officer, Penrith City Council (1976-77). She has also produced and presented a number of international exchange music programs in Japan, and was a member of the NSW Ministry for the Arts Music Committee in 2000.
Valda Silvy has a BA degree in Musicology, Ethnomusicology (University of New England), Fine Arts (Sydney University), Graduate Diploma Arts Management (University of Technology Sydney), Diploma of Music (Honoris Causa - International Conservatorium).
Isobel Roustan. Box Office Manager
Isobel Roustan is responsible for the management and supervision of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre’s ticketing call centre, Box Office and Reception.
Isobel Roustan has been Box Office Manager since 2005. Prior to this she was employed as a casual employee from 1990. In 1990 she began working in the Box Office on a casual basis, and now has eighteen years of experience. Isobel Roustan was previously employed at Cranebrook High School (1994 to 1998) as the school’s liaison officer. Her key requirements were to lift the profile of the school by way of positive newspaper items, engaging celebrity speakers for school assemblies and running monthly year 7 morning teas. Isobel has a background in retail administration before raised a family of four children (one with a disability).
Jonathan Llewellyn. Marketing Manager - Performing Arts
Coming soon.
Geoff Turner. Technical and Production Manager (JSPAC)
Geoff Turner was appointed Technical and Production Manager (JSPAC) in December 2005. From 1998 to 2004 Geoff was Production Manager with Theatre Nepean at the University of Western Sydney. From 1985 to 1998 he was Technical Co-Coordinator and Production Assistant with Theatre Nepean.
VISUAL ARTS STAFF:
Naomi McCarthy. Manager - Education and Public Programs (Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest)
Naomi McCarthy was appointed Education Officer, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest in 2002 and has been the Manager, Education and Public Programs since 2007.
In this capacity she facilitates accessible relevant education programs across school curricula areas, designs and develops extra curricular workshop programs for school aged students. She also designs and implements community access workshops and tour programs for visitors with a disability, seniors programs, early childhood initiatives and the general public.
Naomi produced and presented Naomi’s Wonderground an arts review program for Channel 31 in 2006 and co wrote the following education kits: Teacher resource 2008, Case Studies, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest Collection and Man: Depicting contemporary masculinity, 2008, For Matthew & Others Journeys with schizophrenia, 2006, Art in the classroom, 2004 and Anita and Beyond, 2003.
Naomi was previously a Visual Arts teacher at Penrith High School. She gained a BA in Fine Arts (University of Western Sydney) and graduated with distinction in 1999. She also received a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education (Distinction), graduating from the University of Western Sydney in 2000. She is currently undertaking a Master of Creative Writing at The University of Sydney.
Zona Wilkinson. Curator - Indigenous Programs (Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest)
Zona Wilkinson is an Aboriginal artist, educator and elder much respected in local and regional Aboriginal (and non Aboriginal) communities. She has expertise in Aboriginal community cultural development and community engagement – with special focus on regionally focused Aboriginal contemporary visual arts practice, and visual arts education. She has worked as a tutor and lecturer at the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, and has experience in the development and delivery of non-gallery outreach programs e.g. prisons, and community centre programs. She has extensive experience as a young offenders support person (working with Blacktown, Mt Druitt and St Marys police stations.
Shirley Daborn. Project Officer – Collections and Strategic Projects (Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest)
Shirley Daborn has been Project Officer – Collections and Strategic Projects since December 2006. Responsibilities include the management of the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest Collection, the management and supervision of the Margaret Farm Residency program. She is also a part of the curatorial team and works on selected curatorial projects and publications.
Previously, from 1999 to 2006, Shirley Daborn tutored in the areas of Art and Architectural History and Theory at the University of Western Sydney and the University of New South Wales. She studied at the University of Western Sydney gaining a BA Art History and Criticism (Hons. First Class) in 1999. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of New South Wales, with a focus on mid-twentieth century suburban shopping centres and cultural representations of woman, in the role of primary shopper.
Dimity Mullane. Marketing Manager – Visual Arts
Dimity Mullane was appointed Marketing and Media Manager at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest in 2002 to present. In 2001 Dimity worked in marketing and customer relations at Lake Louise Canada and Mt Cheeseman New Zealand. Dimity worked in numerous roles at the Powerhouse Museum (1998-2001) including Education and Visitors Services, Registration, Marketing, and Exhibition Development and Touring Exhibitions. 1997-1998 Dimity was employed at Sydney Observatory.
Shayne Roberts. Heritage Gardener - Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest
Shayne Robertswas appointed Heritage Gardener at Penrith regional gallery & The Lewers Bequest in 2006. In this role he is responsible for the conservation, care, maintenance and management of the Gallery’s heritage gardens.
Previously he was a Horticulturalist at Vaucluse House with the Historic Houses Trust of NSW (2001 to 2005). Whilst at Vaucluse House Shayne joint project managed the Specimen Garden, which had a mixture of exotic shrubs and as well as natives, perennials and various annuals, representative of the early nineteenth century when William Wentworth resided at the property.
Prior to this he worked in Landscape Construction with Geoff Rogerson Pty Ltd as a Leading Hand (1998 to 2001). He gained a Diploma of Horticulture and Landscape at the Ryde Technical College in 2002.
Amanda Palmer - Reception & Administration Officer
Amanda Palmer was appointed Weekend Visitor Services Officer in 2007 and has been the fulltime Reception & Administration Officer since 2009.
Amanda manages front of house duties as well as the development and delivery of a variety of Gallery functions and events. Amanda has designed and delivered several children’s workshop programs including the monthly Sunday Kids Club and is currently developing the family initiatives program.
Amanda Palmer has gained a Master of Teaching (Secondary) University of Western Sydney 2008, Bachelor of Fine Arts University of Western Sydney 2007, Certificate II Visual Arts Nepean TAFE 2004 and Certificate IV Marketing and Advertising Blacktown TAFE 2004. Amanda Palmer is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration UNSW COFA - College of Fine Arts.
Cassandra Aad - Cleaner
Cassandra Aad was appointed environment hygienist in 2009. She is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of all Gallery spaces and amenities as well as the care of Garden sculptures.
Previously Cassandra has managed and maintained various positions within the NSW hospital system as well as being an employee for the Australian tax office as a client contact officer.
Since her appointment the Gallery has enjoyed a high level of care which has enhanced the natural beauty and elegance of Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest.
ADMINISTRATIVE & VENUE STAFF:
Tina Magdic. Manager – Administration & Venue
Tina Magdic is responsible for the management of administrative and facility operations of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts (including venue management, Front of House operations and bookings for the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre).
Tina Magdic commenced working with Penrith Performing & Visual Arts in 2006. She has been Manager - Administration & Venue since December of that year. Previously she was the Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Office of Wonderland Sydney (2004-05), Personal Assistant to Finance, Retail and Entertainment Managers Wonderland Sydney (2002-04) and Personal Assistant to the Design and Construction Managers Wonderland Sydney (1995-1996, 2002)
Shand Smith. Financial Manager
Shand Smith is responsible for the financial management of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts.
Shand worked for the Q Theatre Company and Railway St Theatre (1985-2004), and for Christine Dunstan Productions. She has a Diploma of Accounting (TAFE)..
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