Board

Janice A. Goates

Chair

Janice is a long-term Werribee resident and was instrumental in establishing the Wyndham Community Cultural Foundation (WCCF). She is an inaugural Director and inaugural Secretary, and was elected as Chair in 2018. Janice held senior executive roles with Credit Union Australia, spanning a 30-year career. 

Janice’s past honorary roles include: Executive Director for Committee for Wyndham (15 years); Chair of the Werribee Chamber of Commerce; Inaugural Director and Secretary of the Werribee Hospital Foundation (1993 – 2017) as well as past Chair.

Jan is a life member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international women’s cultural organisation and was awarded the Wyndham Citizen of the Year in 2002.

Sarah Florendo

Director

Sarah was elected as a Director in 2020.

Sarah is the principal lawyer of Innover Legal Solutions. She has a wealth of expertise in corporate law, working at law firms in Australia and the UK and as in-house counsel for a federal government agency. Sarah also advises community and not-for-profit organisations.

Sarah has been active in the local community in various roles: as a radio broadcaster for 3ZZZ community radio; a volunteer lawyer at the Disability Discrimination Legal Service; and a creative arts contributor at the Footscray Community Arts Centre. Sarah is also a Board Member of Spinal Home Help, a Queensland based charity.

A novice but keen art enthusiast, Sarah brings her expertise in corporate governance and her passion for the arts to promote Arts Assist’s strategic goals and initiatives.

Melissa Lazaridis

Director

Melissa was elected Director in 2021.

Melissa has an extensive background across a broad range of art education settings, with many years of experience teaching in secondary, TAFE and adult learning. She specialised in designing and building curriculum to encourage fertile, creative environments.

She has facilitated community projects and enjoys generating positive growth and opportunities for people.

Melissa has also had a teaching and supporting role in a social enterprise supporting marginalised communities and understands the importance of providing and promoting opportunities within the community.

Melissa has recently returned to focussing on practicing art and creative industry. She looks forward to contributing to the growth of arts possibilities and exposure in Wyndham.

Melissa grew up in Werribee and lives here with her family.

Kate Smithwick

Director and Treasurer

Kate is a long-term local resident of Werribee and was appointed as a Director in 2024.

Kate has over 15 years of senior finance experience working in large global corporations across many different sectors including FMCG, logistics, the motor industry and Agribusiness.

Kate holds a Bachelors Degree in Business (Accounting) and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Natasha Ross

Director

Natasha Ross is a strategic leader with expertise in governance, reform, and future-focused planning, contributing across multiple boards that address key social issues including domestic violence, homelessness, youth, disability, and aged care. With a Master’s Degree in Human Rights, she brings a values-driven, evidence-based approach to strengthening organisations and ensuring they remain accountable and community-focused.

Natasha believes in the arts as a powerful driver of community development and values the role of self-expression and place-based creativity in building vibrant, inclusive communities. Through her role on the Arts Assist board, she supports strong governance and sustainable planning, helping to shape a thriving future for local arts and cultural initiatives.