Our Board
Tim Winkler (he/him)
Chair
Tim started his working life sterilising infectious waste before graduating to weed counting, double-glazed window sales and rubbish collection. As life progressed to a less colourful state he worked as a journalist at The Age and as a government advisor before moving to the higher education sector, where he has worked for more than two decades. He is a marketing and communications consultant based in Shepparton, working with a wide range of organisations and while he believes he is untalented in most of the arts, he has a great love for them. Tim lives in Ardmona.
Laura Fry (she/her)
Treasurer
Born and bred in Shepparton with strong ties to the town. Currently resides in Bendigo. Laura is a dedicated and financial professional with a strong focus on budgeting and reporting. She is committed to providing the SAF board with detailed, transparent and valuable financial data and review.
Alex Cox
Secretary
Alex grew up in the Goulburn Valley, having only left to complete his university studies at Monash University. Alex practises as a Property Lawyer in Shepparton. He regularly advises clients on a wide range of property matters including residential, commercial and agricultural property transactions (including portfolio farm sales), commercial leasing, and agribusinesses and water related matters.
Alex is also a Board Member and the Treasurer of the Goulburn Valley Law Association where he assisted in establishing the organisation's structure as an Incorporated Association.
Mimi Leung
Creative Advisor
Mimi Leung is an artist and illustrator whose playful work weaves together the real and surreal in dynamic depictions of imaginative creatures and abstract forms.
Her multidisciplinary practise engages painting, drawing, writing and moving-image to process subconscious thoughts and feelings; applying a lens of curiosity and playfulness to the world around her as well as within. Mimi also works closely with culturally diverse and youth communities to develop their own stories using digital media.
Mimi is represented by The Jacky Winter Group and has exhibited internationally.
Nick Baylart
Committee Member
Nick is an arts project manager with more than fifteen years’ experience working in museums and galleries across Australia, in exhibition design, collection care, public programming, and commercial arts roles. Originally from Queensland, he joined the Shepparton Art Museum team in 2022 and has been based in Shepparton since.
Carolina Marin (she/her)
Committee Member
Carolina is a Communications Science graduate with 13+ years of experience creating and coordinating marketing campaigns and communication strategies across diverse industries. She currently works in a local organisation’s marketing team. Throughout her career, she has served as Communications Director at a non-profit and has contributed to international art festivals, as well as fashion, and film festivals in her hometown of Cancun, Mexico.
An avid art lover and community advocate, she truly believes in the power of art to unite people and strengthen community spirit.
Georgina Poort (she/her)
Committee Member
Georgina is a queer, neurodivergent and disabled local who lives on Yorta Yorta Country in Shepparton. Her passions extend to visual art, good coffee and advocacy across social justice.
As a local community development professional Georgina works with LGBTIQA+ young people in the non-profit sector, where her role includes group facilitation, professional education and advocacy. In 2024 she was awarded the Pride in Diversity 'OUT Role Model of the Year' award for her work championing the voices of local regional LGBTIQA+ young people.
Georgina has spent the last 15 years as a volunteer and board member of Goulburn Valley Pride Inc. spending the last 3 years as Vice President and leading the OUT in the OPEN Festival in 2024 as the Convenor.
Arti Shah (she/her)
Committee Member
Arti is a speech and language pathologist working in primary schools and possesses a deep passion for communication (including speech, language, and literacy) access and equity. She is also a poetic artist, producing her pod-and-videocast program Human Chapters, which sensitively explores individual lived experiences and aspirations. Arti was the recipient of the 2022 City of Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Award for her work in providing platforms such as Human Chapters, Human Book Club, and a special project with the African House. Arti lives in Numurkah.
Ambassadors
Fiona Blick (she/her)
Ambassador of Fundraising
Fiona was born in Broken Hill and studied music all through her school years.
She did work experience with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as a 14-year-old and went on to study music, majoring in performance, with the Elder Conservatorium at the University of Adelaide.
After many years of teaching and performing music, Fiona decided on a career change and studied journalism, working for McPherson Media, primarily with the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
Since then she has worked as a communications specialist with various media and local governments specialising in crisis communications and community engagement.
Fiona is the Community Connector Coordinator and Communications Manager with the Committee for Greater Shepparton and has developed close connections with the many and varied industries and organisations in the Goulburn Valley.
Terri Cowley (she/her)
Ambassador of Communications
Terri Cowley is an experienced senior journalist with a passion for storytelling, in all its forms.
She works for R.M.Williams OUTBACK magazine, shining a light on the many positive things happening in rural and regional Australia, and is also host of the R.M.Williams OUTBACK podcast.
Locally, her community involvement includes President of Greater Shepparton Secondary College school council and a committee of management member of GV Hospice. She is a big supporter of the arts, including Shepparton Theatre Arts Group and Shepparton Arts Museum.
Ane Fotu (she/her)
Ambassador of Engagement & Volunteers
Ane Fotu believes in the power of community, culture, and storytelling to transform lives. Her work centres on community and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on building inclusive, diverse environments that celebrate art and culture. Proudly Tongan with Pacific Island heritage, Ane is deeply committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and builds connections across diverse communities. She actively contributes to Shepparton Culture Kitchen Women, and other community groups. Ane volunteers across a wide range of events and committees, she understands the importance of voluntary work. Ane is guided by her determination to learn, grow, and expand the impact of her service.
Our Team
Diana Fisk (she/her)
General Manager & Acting Artistic Director
Diana Fisk is an accomplished arts leader and creative producer with extensive experience across the screen, visual arts, and performing arts sectors. With a strong track record of leading purpose-driven organisations and delivering high-impact cultural events, Diana is passionate about creating spaces where art, community, and inclusion intersect. Born and raised in the Goulburn Valley, Diana’s career began at the Shepparton Art Museum, and established a deep understanding of the region’s vibrant creative landscape. Diana has since worked nationally across film, visual arts, and performance, producing award-winning documentaries for Netflix, ABC TV, and Australian cinemas, while also leading major industry summits, festivals, and community-focused programs that champion diversity and access. With her roots firmly in Shepparton, Diana brings both local knowledge and national leadership to her role, with a commitment to strengthening the Shepparton Festival as a bold, inclusive celebration of art and community.
Life Members
John Head, Heather Gange, Carmel Johnson, Daphne & Ross Turnbull, Karen Parker, John Lewis, Angie Russi, Rob Robson, Paul Cathcart