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.
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.
Fiona Blick (she/her)
Commitee Member / 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.
Ambassadors
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
Billy-Jo Royle (she/her)
Acting General Manager
Billy-Jo brings a wealth of experience across arts management, education, and performance. Having served as both Administration Officer and Producer for the Shepparton Arts Festival, she has played a key role in supporting the festival’s operations, programming, and community engagement.
With a diverse professional background as a performer, producer, director, choreographer, and educator, Billy-Jo offers a deep understanding of both the creative and organisational aspects of the arts sector. Her broad experience enables her to connect strategic leadership with a strong appreciation for artistic practice and community impact.
Passionate about nurturing the next generation of artists, Billy-Jo remains actively involved as a youth theatre facilitator, supporting emerging talent and fostering creative confidence in young people.
A firm believer in the vital role the arts play in enriching communities, Billy-Jo is committed to strengthening connections, championing creativity, and helping build a vibrant and sustainable arts sector for the future.
Life Members
John Head, Heather Gange, Carmel Johnson, Daphne & Ross Turnbull, Karen Parker, John Lewis, Angie Russi, Rob Robson, Paul Cathcart