Co-Chair, North Midlands Project

Jane is the Gallery Manager at JCG (John Curtin Gallery), the art gallery at Curtin University. She has previously held the roles of Head of Member Development at Artsource, Executive Director at the State Library of WA Foundation and Executive Officer of Museums Australia WA. 

Jane is an elected member of the National Council of Australian Museums and Galleries Association, the peak body for museums and galleries and is the Chair of the National Professional Development Committee. She is also the Deputy Chair of FutureNow, the Training Council for the Creative and Recreation sectors. 

Jane has degrees in Economics and Fine Art, and a postgraduate Diploma in Management. She completed the Museum Leadership Program at Macquarie University in 2015. She has received numerous MAGNA awards for exhibitions and programs, most recently the 2019 Award for Research Projects. Jane was a State finalist in the Telstra Business Women's Awards in 2014.

Jane is also a practising artist, and sometimes freelance curator. She is both Co-Chair and an Artistic Director of North Midlands Project. 

Executive Co-Chair, North Midlands Project

Over 17 years David has successfully developed and managed capacity-building projects in corporate, community social enterprise and the non-profit sectors in Australia, Asia, Europe, America and Africa. Leading high-performing teams he has established organisations, assisted in scaling-up and created sustainable models allowing focus on dreaming BIG to create awesome legacies.

David has a genuine passion to empower people and strengthen communities through emerging technologies, the arts, cultural, health and education initiatives. He is personally committed to placing his energy where he can add value to an organisation, its people and outcomes. David's ongoing mission is to explore new ways of working with each other, moving beyond the conventional, challenging the status quo.

David is responsible for executing the organisations 20 year societal impact strategy.

david@northmidlands.org.au  l  0419 766 808

Fritha is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and has completed a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Accounting and Taxation at Curtin University. She has extensive experience in Public Practice for small to large businesses including those in the non-profit sector. 

Fritha grew up in Geraldton and is passionate about the Mid West region. Her mother is a prominent Geraldton artist who has spent the last 30 years creating and leading artistic, cultural, heritage and education projects to benefit the local community. Through this Fritha understands the benefits of community engagement to its health and well-being and is thrilled to assist North Midlands Project reach its goals in these areas. 

Karen is a Social Scientist with postgraduate qualifications in Adult Education and Environmental Management. Working in the local government sector for many years she has gained extensive experience in strategic planning, project management and community development. Karen is both the treasurer and social scientist for the North Midlands Project.

Having a genuine passion for social justice and community capacity building, Karen is committed to supporting initiatives that create connection and strengthen the social fabric of our communities. Karen is a practicing artist exploring the connections between creativity, humanity and the health of the environment. Researching how those links can build community connections, as well as improve wellbeing. She is also passionate about regenerative agriculture and land restoration. Karen is a lifetime member of the Friends of New Norcia in Western Australia.

Karen holds a committee member position and is the organsiations Research + Impact Specialist. research@northmidlands.org.au

Penelope is an experienced business administrator presently working in HR analysis and enablement at Rio Tinto. In addition to holding other high-level administration positions, she previously worked as a Workplace Learning Coordinator & Career Adviser with the Department of Education.

Penelope brings strength to the board around compliance, governance and the development of policies and procedures. She appreciates arts, culture, heritage and education and the positive impact it has on people of all ages. 

Tamara is currently working as Visual Arts Specialist, HASS and Health teacher in a government primary school. She has tertiary qualifications in both Visual Arts and Education as well as backgrounds in Special Needs and Montessori Education. 

Tamara has developed and implemented a vibrant art program that has helped raise the profile of the school through active involvement in numerous community exhibitions and events. She is an enthusiastic, optimistic, and dedicated primary specialist teacher who endeavours to nurture the growth and development of every student. She holds high expectations for herself and for her students. Tamara has particular interests in integrated, whole child education and social and emotional wellbeing. As a Visual Arts Specialist Tamara advocates for value of art education in developing 21st Century Learners. 

Her future goals are to continue to research, practice and grow as an educator and to always remember that ‘humankind owes to the child the best it has to give’. (Geneva Declaration on the Right of the Child 1924.)

Anne has a diverse working life experience, from her first position in education, through to involvement in the arts, event management, tourism, marketing, fundraising, history and heritage. This activity has been complemented by her passion for and extensive participation in communities and community engagement. Anne has been involved in a number of very successful on-going projects proving that the strength and power of the community can and does initiate and implement change.

Being born and bred in country Western Australia, Anne has a deep love of the rural areas of Western Australia and believes that the North Midlands Project will be an instrument of inspiration and a model for other small communities to follow. Anne's love for and knowledge of the arts, culture, heritage and education are all satisfied and stimulated by this project and is very proud to be part of such a creative and innovative endeavour.

Andrew comes from a farming background in the North Midlands, is an active member of the North Midlands Agricultural Society, and serves as the historian of the Carnamah Historical Society & Museum. He also works independently as a researcher and heritage consultant and has formerly held positions with the State Library of Western Australia Foundation and Curtin University.

His work promoting the history and heritage of Carnamah was acknowledged with the Outstanding Newcomer Professor David Dolan Award at the 2013 Western Australian Heritage Awards. He has since played an integral role in four projects winning Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNAs) and in the Carnamah Historical Society winning the Outstanding Community Organisation category in the Western Australian Heritage Awards.

Andrew has served on the boards of the Young Australia League, Royal Western Australian Historical Society, History Council of Western Australia, and the WA branch of what is now the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMAGA).

Andrew is the co-founder and inaugural chair of North Midlands Project. He holds a committee member position and is Organisational Manager.