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.
Peter Ross OAM
Director
Peter Ross is a long-term local resident, a driving force behind the establishment of the Wyndham Community Cultural Foundation (as an inaugural Director) as well as the Wyndham Cultural Centre.
Peter, with his wife Elizabeth, opened and operated Ross’s Pharmacy in Werribee for 30 years. Peter was a Councillor with the Wyndham City Council for many years, including a term as Major in 2005. He is a foundation member of the Werribee Theatre Company (including past President and Treasurer); member of the Rotary Club of Werribee; and Treasurer of the Werribee Chamber of Commerce. Peter initiated the Committee for Werribee (now Wyndham) in 1998, and was past Chairman and Deputy Chairman over 14 years.
Peter was a recipient of the Committee for Wyndham Foundation Award in 2014 and John Nicol Community Services Award in 2017. Peter was was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2019 in recognition of his service to the Wyndham community over many years.
James Pipino
Director
James is a long-term local resident of Werribee and is excited to be able to help support others in the artistic community so they are able to follow a path they are passionate about.
James has worked in the arts industry as a photographer for the past 25 years both internationally and throughout Australia with leading brands, charity’s and individuals. James founded his own company which was a creative agency that represented photographers, directors, stylists and make-up artists in Melbourne where he still remains as a director.
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.
Samantha Napier
Director
Samantha was elected as a Director in 2020.
Samantha has lived in Wyndham for over 15 years and has been an active member of the local arts community.
For over two years, Samantha was host of Book, Stage and Screen, a weekly radio show on community radio station 88.9 WynFM, which showcased the work of creatives, local and afar.
Samantha is the author of the romantic comedy, Dating the Alphabet, published by HarperCollins in 2015; creator, writer and producer of the web series, The Wedding Sisters; and was a contributing writer to two community newspapers, Around Point Cook and Around Altona, where she highlighted the work of local artists and creative groups.
Samantha has extensive governance experience, and currently serves on the School Council of two local high schools.
William Murphy
Director and Vice-Chair
William was elected as a Director in 2020 and Vice-Chair in 2021.
William is a digital leader with over 15 years of experience spanning marketing, service and design. He has deep expertise in digital experience, performance advertising and marketing-technology.
William blends a creative mindset bred from an Industrial Design heritage with the big business thinking of an MBA, where data meets creativity; he has a keen interest in helping to grow the visibility and impact of the creatives and artists of Wyndham.
Sarah Eldridge
Director and Treasurer
Sarah was elected Director and Treasurer in 2021.
Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the finance industry having worked in senior financial roles for small businesses, not-for-profit and federal government organisations.
Sarah holds a MSc. in Finance, is an ATO Registered BAS Agent and a Member of the Association of Virtual CFO’s and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.
Sarah is the Founder and Director of Trinity Bookkeeping Services, providing financial support services to small and medium business and not-for-profit organisations, and is also a Registered NDIS Plan Manager.
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Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel plays a vital role in the review of funding applications. It’s made up of local Wyndham residents, as well as a Wyndham City Council representative, who acts in an advisory and non-voting capacity.
Alan Thompson
Member
Alan is a long-term local resident and passionate about the performing arts. He was President and member of the Wyndham Theatre Company (WTC), roles he held for over 12 and 27 years respectively.
Alan was a recipient of the 2014 Victorian Drama League Award for Best Set & Lighting Design, 2015 Wyndham Culture, Arts and Tourism Volunteer Award, and 2017 Victoria Drama League Recognition Award for Set Design.
Alan worked for over 35 years for Ford as Principal Engineer with assignments in the Philippines, Japan, United States and Europe and as Engineering Manager of Ford Performance Vehicles in Australia.
Janet Park
Member
Janet has lived in Wyndham for many years and has been actively involved in the local community: Werribee District Hospital Junior Ladies Auxiliary (member); Werribee District Hospital (Life Governor); Chirnside Wine Club (Life Member); and FKA Children’s Services (board member).
Janet is a long-term member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international women’s cultural organisation, was involved for many years with their local Art Show, and Chair of the 2008 and 2016 National Beta Sigma Phi Conventions. Janet was presented with the Girl of the Year award in 2014.
Currently Janet serves on the National Council of Women of Victoria (Vice-President) and the Point Cook Evening VIEW Club (Program Officer).
Janet worked as a kindergarten teacher and managed Early Childhood Services for various local governments. She was Executive Officer, Geelong Kindergarten Association for 8 years.
Alan Cook
Member
Alan has lived in Wyndham since returning from a decade in Europe in 2014. He is a conductor, opera coach, and musicologist with 20 years’ experience.
A Graduate of the VCA and Melbourne Conservatorium, he also studied conducting in Italy and has performed in Austria, Italy, Spain, and Russia. Alan was Principal Guest Conductor of orchestras in Ukraine and Russia during which time he developed an expertise in Russian repertoire and language.
He is currently studying a PhD in Musicology, and currently serves as Artistic Director of More Than Opera and Music Director of the Melbourne Chamber Choir.
Dr Monika Schott
Member
Monika is a Melbourne based writer and researcher. Life’s intricacies and curiosities inspire her to write and give voice to stories that haven’t been heard, particularly those of lost industrial communities and communities that have been isolated and abjected.
Monika wrote the never before told story of Melbourne’s first sewerage farm community. Her book, The faraway land of the house and two cows, and song, The faraway land, are due for release in 2022. Monika’s next research project is a collaboration to uncover the history, personalities and science of the community once living and working on the State Research Farm in Werribee.
Monika has a background in the fine arts, was shortlisted in the Ada Cambridge Writing Prize and has several short stories published. A community conscience and commitment to social equity and responsibility has led her to serving on various committees and panels, including current director for the Werribee Football Club.
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