Board

Lesley Hall, Chair

Lesley Hall has worked in disability advocacy organisations since 1980. In 1986 she was engaged as a consultant with the United Nations in Bangkok to develop a resource manual on training and funding opportunities for people with disability as well as develop project proposals. She also has an extensive background in the arts having worked with Melbourne Workers Theatre, Opa Theatre Productions, the Little Big Tops and as an Arts and Cultural Development Officer with the City of Darebin. She is presently employed as CEO of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. Present membership of committees include Chair of Art of Difference, Vice Chair of Arts Access and member of the Victorian Ministerial Disability Advisory Council.

Chris Arnold, Board Member

Chris has a long history of consulting and executive management in the professional services area, namely hospitals, law and financial services. He has also been General Manager of  Children’s Services for Scope. Chris’ community involvement includes Craft Victoria, Melbourne Community Foundation, and Philanthropy Australia, and has advised a number of other community boards on strategy and governance.

Christian Astourian, Board Member

Christian Astourian works full time as a coordinator for Diversity and Disability, which is a self advocacy program for people with a disability from a non English speaking background run from the Migrant Resource Centre North West in St Albans. Christian is Deputy Vice President and a member of the People and Governance Committee. He fluently speaks 4 languages. He sits on the Disability Advisory Committee for the Melbourne City Council and the State Government Disability Service Board with the Disability Service Commissioner. Christian is chairperson of the disability advisory committee for the Federation of Ethnics Community Councils of Australia.

Margherita Coppolino, Board Member

Margherita brings many years of experience in the disability sector, working in senior management roles and in her own consultancy business. With a passion for inclusion, Margherita is passionate about empowering people to take action to improve quality of life both for themselves and others, and is keen to bring her disability advocacy role and her interest in the arts together through greater engagement with Arts Access Victoria.

James Dipnall, Board Member

As the Manager of Visitor Services at the Arts Centre, as well as performing the role of Access Manager, James has worked closely with Arts Access Victoria over the past fifteen years, to increase participation of people with a disability, as artists and audiences. He is keen to share the industry knowledge and expertise he has gained with the arts and disability sectors in a more strategic capacity.

Lucy Evans, Board Member

Lucy is an accountant, arts manager and producer with many years of experience supporting arts organisations to produce highly successful events and manage their businesses. She is keen to support exceptional work created by artists with disabilities and is interested in how community arts can create opportunities for exchange between professional and non-professional arts.

Robyn Gaille, Board Member

Robyn is Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia.

Irene Holub, Board Member

Irene is an artist with a wealth of experience in visual arts as well as a passionate patron of the arts. She has also represented deaf people in leadership roles within key advocacy organisations, contributing creativity, problem solving and innovative thinking. This role allows Irene to marry her two passions, the arts, and supporting people with a disability to take equal part in community life.

Kath Pappas, Board Member

Kath Papas is a creative producer and consultant specialising in dance. Her current roles include producer for Tony Yap Company, and event producer for the National Dance Forum 2011, Ausdance National and the Australia Council Dance Board. Kath was CEO of Ausdance Victoria for seven years until mid 2009. She is passionate about fostering all forms of diversity in the arts, and promoting the growth and development of contemporary arts practice. Kath is a Board member of Next Wave and former co-Chair of Arts Industry Council (Vic), and maintains an improvisation and physical performance practice.

Richard Stone, Board Member

Richard resides in the seaside town of Port Campbell in South West Victoria with his wife and two children, (one who has a disability) and is actively involved in a number of local groups and organisations. He has had an extensive employment history in the disability field spanning 26 years and is currently employed with Warrnambool City Council and the Corangamite Shire as their Rural Access Service Manager. Through his current role Richard has initiated and support many local arts projects that promote the inclusion of People with a Disability and is the convenor of the Rural, Metro and Deaf Access Initiatives Arts and Disability Statewide Working Group. Richard has also established and run a maritime museum and worked in the education sector. Richard is a passionate supporter of Arts and Culture, the contribution it makes to community well being and the opportunities it can present to all people.

Gregoria Todaro, Board Member

Gregoria is multitalented; a lawyer, a children’s writer and illustrator and creator of her own fashion label, she has used her creative practice to address issues of disadvantage in the community.