Board
President: Brian Edmond
I am a solicitor with over 20 years experience acting for people injured due to the negligence of others. I have also worked as a professional actor and director in Brisbane, and ran my own theatre company. I feel that I have a unique blend of commercial ‘real world’ experience, as well as a genuine insight into the difficulties and hurdles faced by Arts practitioners.
I have previously been an Ordinary Member for Umbrella and President for the last year. I consider that my skills and experience have been of value to the Management Committee. I am committed to facilitating Umbrella continuing to thrive as a leading arts organisation in North Queensland.
Vice President: Alison McDonald
I come from a family of artists in Victoria, and completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons) at James Cook University, where I majored in painting and sculpture.
I have extensive knowledge of the internal workings of Umbrella Studio, as I was previously employed there as a Gallery Officer for two and a half years on a casual basis, and in the past year have been on the Management Committee.
I am a professional and independent artist in North Queensland, and am employed as a teacher and facilitator.
Secretary: Jill O'Sullivan
A professional practicing visual artist combined with involvement with State and regional art organisations. Jill developed Stack Arts, an experimental and contemporary art group in the North-West. She was President of the Umbrella Board for two years and an ordinary member for one. She is an office bearer on the Student Council for Post Graduates and is currently completing her PhD. She is actively involved with Flying Arts facilitating various workshops throughout Queensland.
Treasurer: Christopher Mills
I am a solicitor with about 10 years experience acting for aged and disadvantaged persons and community organisations, while principal of my conveyancing practice. I am also a qualified accountant now retired. I have also worked in a variety of jobs over my lifetime including 35 years in the Navy. I have considerable experience in working within not for profit organisations in north Queensland, and I am currently Company Secretary of a disability employment service.
Board Member: Bernadette Ashley
A former journalist with a degree in Visual Art, I am currently studying BVA Honours at James Cook University and have a freelance writing and art practice in Townsville. I write a weekly review column for the Townsville Bulletin, and articles for several arts periodicals.
In the course of my study and work in Townsville I have developed contacts in many areas of visual arts, dance, music, media, and arts administration.
Board Member: Robert Barton
A former Director of Umbrella Studio, from 1989 to 2002, with over 25 years experience in the cultural industries.
For the past 4 years, I have acted as Treasurer for Umbrella Studio. I am keen to again offer my experience and expertise in support of Umbrella Studio’s future direction as a progressive and innovative contemporary visual arts organisation.
Board Member: Stephen De Jersey
I am a local architect and director of a private practice. In all projects, our practice strives to be design focused and design outcome driven. Umbrella Studios is an ideal forum for the promotion of design within our Community. In joining the Board, it would be my undertaking to contribute as best I can to furthering Umbrella’s role in this regard.
Board Member: Amanda Howard
I have completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Graduate Bachelor of Education. I majored in print making, however in my spare time I use acrylic, spray paint and mixed media to create my artworks. I have a passion for teaching art and have been doing so for five and a half years. Three and a half of those years have been within the education system and I began teaching out of school art at the Blue Art Shop. Although I still teach in both areas, my after school class has moved to a different venue. The reason I teach art is to assist students to express themselves creatively, and taking youth teams to galleries is a great benefit to them, as it inspires and widens horizons.
Board Member: Susan Peters
Susan Nampitjin Peters is an Aboriginal woman whose family is from Balgo Hills in the Kimberly, WA. She comes from a traditional painting family with little formal training. Her understanding of Indigenous culture is reflecting in Susan’s highly contemporary pictorials of bush plants, bush foods and native ecology. Her work has been included in group exhibitions at the Cultural Centre - Townsville, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Pinnacles Regional Gallery. She has installed work at the Strand Ephemera, and in 2008 she participated in Compact Prints at Umbrella Studio. As a Board Member, Susan maintains the important connections that exist between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island arts community and Umbrella Studio.
Role of the Management Committee
The Committee’s overall role is to govern the organisation rather than manage it. It is the purpose of the Director to manage the organisation in accordance with the direction of the Committee.
In general, the Committee is responsible for, and has the authority to determine, all matters relating to the policies, practices, management and operations of Umbrella Studio Association Inc. It is required to do all things that may be necessary to be done in order to carry out the objectives of the organisation. The Committee has the final responsibility for the successful operations of the organisation. Without intending to limit the general role of the Committee, there are two dual roles of the Management Committee.
- Ensure compliance – Umbrella Studio is accountable to its members, community and funding bodies and complies with legislation such as taxation, work cover, insurance and the meeting of contractual and service obligations.
- To improve the performance of the organisation, the Committee is charged with overseeing strategy formulation and policy making – and making sure that Umbrella Studio is meeting the purpose for which was formed.
- Ensuring the Mission Statement is fulfilled.
There are seven key tasks associated with these dual roles:
- Develop clear and appropriate goals and plans for the association
- Make sure that the service users needs are met in the best ways possible
- Make sure the association remains financial
- Meeting any legal obligations such as complying with the Associations Incorporations Act, the constitution and any funding agreements
- Make sure proper financial management procedures are in place and are followed
- Employing, supporting and supervising staff and ensuring all legal requirements associated with employing staff are met
- Be aware of the day-to-day operations of the association and be available when necessary
The minimum time requirement from Board is to: attend exhibition openings and special events as well as, attend monthly Management Committee Meetings 2 hours x 11, Attend AGM 2 hours in March, attend Strategic planning day scheduled for July lasting approximately 6 hours and attend sub-committee meetings 2 hours x 2 ( TBD).