Rod Watters | Chair

Equipped with a B.Econ. (MonashU) and an MBA (UNSW), Rod’s corporate career saw him hold a number of directorships and key corporate roles in Asian / Pacific, North American and European regions. Returning to live in Australia in 2004, Rod is a grazier at Keybarbin Station in Baryulgil. He maintains a keen interest in business development, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and communications and working with people.

“The two stand-out achievements of the Gallery Foundation over the years have been securing the $7.6M Grant for the expansion and refurbishment of our great Regional Gallery and our staging of wonderful community fundraisers, particularly the iconic Art in the Paddock and Gate to Plate events.”

Helyn Davison | Board Secretary

Helyn, a lifelong Clarence Valley resident, retired from TAFE NSW in 2014 where she worked for 30 years, initially as a teacher in the business faculty and for eight years as North Coast Director of Educational Services.  Helyn has served in a voluntary capacity as a director with the Grafton Women's Refuge and on the Regional Development Board.

“I have been a keen supporter of the Grafton Regional Gallery over many years.  As a member of the Gallery Foundation Board, I continue to work to promote the many strengths and experiences that having a Regional Art Gallery has for the community and visitors to the Clarence Valley.”

Paul Kennedy | Treasurer

Paul graduated with Bachelor of Economics in 1974 and gained experience in professional practice in large chartered and commercial accounting firms, eventually qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Paul became an establishing partner in Grafton-based accountancy practice Kennedy Saunders in 1982 and has also been a Certified Financial Planner since 1988.

“As the parent of a practising artist, I have first hand knowledge of the importance of ensuring the long term financial sustainability of a community institution such as the Grafton Regional Gallery.”

Pam Fysh

Pam came to Grafton in 1963 having grown up in rural North West NSW. She has been actively involved in the local art community as a practising artist and has held positions on many committees to help promote the art industry. Pam was a member of the Jacaranda Art Society (JAS) from 1970 until the society evolved into the Friends of the Gallery (FOG) in 1992 and since 1980, has been a member of the Grafton Art Club. In the 1970s Pam was involved with Grafton’s Festival of Arts and from 1983 on the Steering Committee for the establishment of the Grafton Regional Gallery. Pam has also served on the Gallery’s Management Committee and Advisory Committee. She has been a Board Member of the Gallery Foundation from it's inception.

“My most enduring memory related to the Gallery would be on Jacaranda Thursday 1985, when Eileen Challacombe, president of the Jacaranda Art Society, Joyce Greening the secretary, Beth Officer the treasurer and I went to the office of the Mayor Mike Emerson to announce that we had bought Dr Derek and Mrs Ida Prentice’s house with a deposit of $30,000 (and a considerable collection of art work) and to be told that Grafton City Council had $80,000 put aside for the establishment of an Art Gallery.”

Jude McBean

After training at the College of Fine Arts, UNSW, Jude moved to the Clarence Valley to work as an artist and art educator. Following roles as the Education and Public Programs Officer at the Grafton Regional Gallery, she took up the directorship in 2003 until 2018. During this time, Jude worked to develop the potential of the Regional Gallery and to advocate for recognition of the value of the arts and creative industries in regional areas.

“I love the visual arts – it engages everyone in all sorts of ways and our fantastic regional gallery does this through presenting a lively visual history and identity of our area through its exhibitions and activities and supporting our regional artists. And I love our gallery foundation as it makes a lot of dreams possible now and in the future.”

Phil McMaster

Phil is an architect, landscape architect and land use planner, with a background in world heritage and infrastructure projects whilst continuing to be involved in the design of regional galleries.

Phil commutes between Maclean and Brisbane.

Suzanne Campbell

Suzanne taught English and History at Grafton High School for 25 years. During this time she was the SRC coordinator organising many functions from fundraising days such as Daffodil Day and Jeans for Genes Day. She has been involved in local theatre organisation The Pelican Playhouse for over thirty years.

“I am very passionate about the role the Grafton Regional Gallery plays in our community. It is a place where ideas are examined, interaction with the community is actively encouraged and is a symbol of what it means to be a citizen in a non-commercial environment.”

Peter Nicholson

Peter first visited Yamba in 1989 and moved to the Clarence Valley in 2002. Having been involved in cooking and hospitality for most of his working life, Peter started a new company - Nicholson Fine Foods - based in the Yamba industrial estate, creating and supplying award-winning specialty foods for customers all over Australia. Peter participated in the original committee for ‘Surfing the Coldstream’ arts and music festival in Yamba and believes strongly that creativity is a gift everyone needs to explore in their lives.

“I see the Grafton Regional Gallery as a place of solace and peace in a bustling world. It’s an important destination for the arts community, valley residents and visitors.”

Johannes Ventor

Johannes Venter is a principal partner of Findex in Grafton. He moved to Grafton in 2014 bringing with him over 28 years of experience working with small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and individuals. He has specialist knowledge in the areas of retail, professional services, health services, primary production, trades, manufacturing and SMSF.

Niomi Sands

Niomi Sands has been the Director of the Grafton Regional Gallery since April 2018. She had previously worked as curator at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie for over ten years. Prior to her tenure at Port Macquarie, Niomi worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney as a registrar and various regional galleries in Newcastle where she grew up and went to university. Niomi also works as an artist and is currently enrolled in a doctor of visual arts at Griffith University.

“We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful Gallery and a magnificent collection on our door step. The Gallery just comes alive when there are people enjoying the exhibitions or making art in the Studio. I can’t wait for the reopening in early 2021, when the Gallery team can bring some truly magical moments that are bursting with creativity to our community.”

James Moloney

James Moloney is a fourth-generation Clarence Valley farmer and resident. After gaining a masters degree from Sydney University in History, James worked in the governance and ceremonial side of universities for sixteen years in NSW, Queensland and Canada. James is accredited as an Associate of the NSW Professional Historians Association. He returned to the Clarence in 2005 to run the family farm with his partner Steve Price. James has long been involved in historical and heritage organisations, serving as a member of the Council of the Royal Australian Historical Society and a member of the CVC Heritage Advisory Committee.

“I value community and the importance of understanding the past as a way of contributing to the present and investing for the future. I have zero artistic or mechanical ability but a great appreciation of aptitude and talent in both.”

Vicki St Lawrence

Vicki has broad experience as a management, social & strategic planning consultant to the rural public and community sectors. She has worked for a range of clients in the local and state government sectors, in addition to a range of non-profit organisations and the private sector. As a resident of rural NSW for more than 20 years, Vicki understands the intricacies of rural life, rural service delivery and the conducting of business in rural localities.