CHAIR

PROFESSOR JOHN O’TOOLE

John O’Toole was Foundation Chair of Arts Education at the University of Melbourne from 2005- 2010. Before that he spent twelve years teaching in schools and working in community theatre in education, then twenty five years as a lecturer, finishing as Professor of Drama and Applied Theatre at Griffith University. He has taught drama to all ages from early childhood to adult seniors, and on all continents. He has designed many curricula, including being Lead Writer for the Arts in the new Australian Curriculum. John developed the world’s first BA Degree course in Applied Theatre, now a common university study internationally. He has written or co-written numerous books on teaching and research, from Theatre in Education (1977) – the first book on the subject – to his current co-editorship o the forthcoming Routledge International Handbook of Arts and Education. He received the Griffith University Award for Excellence in Teaching 2005, the Drama Australia President’s Award in 2003, and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education Lifetime Achievement award in 2001. He is also still a practising playwright for young audiences. In 2014 he was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia for services to drama education.

VICE CHAIR

DR SUSAN OSTLING

Dr Susan Ostling is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Queensland College of Art, Griffith University. She continues to supervise, mentor and examine higher degree students. Her research agenda is to explore ways for art in exhibition to provide a means to frame and question the conditions of contemporary society.

Susan has received several Australia Council development grants and been a recipient of several Griffith University joint research grants. Her curatorial projects have consisted of Place.Product which investigated the social history of clay, tiles and ceramic manufacture in the Ipswich area, Brisbane and involved three contemporary artists working with temporal ideas of clay and its products; Future Factor, which toured nationally, examined the impact of new technologies on craft and design practices; Lingua Franca considered the shared language between art, design and craft; The course of objects—the fine lines of inquiry unravelling the triggers that inspire art practice and lead to rigorous lines of inquiry; Radical Romanticism brought artists together whose work considered anew the experience of the everyday.

Susan has served on state and national arts advisory bodies. Her PhD investigated the shaping and defining of the contemporary art curator.

SECRETARY

Gabriella Ritchie is a Senior Associate at McCullough Robertson Lawyers in Brisbane.  Gabriella’s specialty is in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, acting for a variety of clients.  Gabriella is heavily involved in McCullough Robertson’s community partnerships program, and is also a member of the management committee of Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH), a not-for-profit, community-based legal organisation providing pro bono legal services for individuals and community groups.  Gabriella has a special interest in the arts, including ensuring that every person has the opportunity to access and enjoy the arts, no matter their situation or location.

TREASURER

NICHOLAS GREGORY

Nicholas Gregory is a tax manager in the Brisbane office of national accountancy firm, RSM. Nicholas’s professional experience is centred on working with small to medium business across a range of industries including manufacturing, property development, primary production enterprises and many family businesses. Nicholas is practising Certified Practising Accountant with over 10 years of business experience in Brisbane. Nicholas’s passion lies in using his professional and commercial expertise to help business owners develop and grow their business. Nicholas is a firm believer in the contribution of the not-for-profit sector to local communities and regularly volunteers his time as an active member of Nobby’s Beach Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast with his wife.

BOARD MEMBERS