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.
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Patrons
Peter Ross OAM
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.
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