Meet our valued team who make Access2Arts the exceptional organisation it is.
Rebecca (Bec) Young is an experienced and passionate leader, ally and advocate in the for-purpose sector. Prior to finding her passion and taking up work in disability and social services over 12 years ago, Rebecca gained a wealth of experience across a variety of roles in marketing, advertising, media and communications in a range of industries.
Rebecca completed her MBA in 2014 and the Governors Leadership Foundation program in 2016, she also has a Certificate II in Auslan, a forklift licence and suite of less useful certificates.
She contributes a strong focus on developing young leaders, increasing diversity and inclusion, accessible communications, strategy and sustainable organisational development.
In addition to her role as Chief Executive at Access2Arts Rebecca volunteers as a mentor for several leadership development programs and is the chair of inclusive social circus school Lolly Jar Circus.
Jacqui Tedmanson is a disabled arts professional and access advocate performing cabaret under the stage name "Diana Divine". Lovingly referred to as "Uncle Di" by industry students and mentees, Jacqui has prioritised community-building projects throughout their career with a focus on improving accessible practices within the independent performing arts scene.
Read moreMeg Riley is a disabled and autistic artist, educator and audio describer, with a strong record of facilitating disability access in the arts sector. She has worked in museums and galleries creating accessible and educational programs, as well as creative digital resources such as podcasts and videos.
Read moreJude is a spirited Arts Administrator with 20 years of Festival and large-scale music and sporting event experience.
Identifying as a disabled woman, Jude is dedicated to using her lived experience to advocate for change and better accessibility for her community.
She is a qualified Visual Artist, completing her Advanced Diploma of Applied and Visual Arts, majoring in Jewellery at North Adelaide School of Art.
She has successfully staged exhibitions around Australia.
As a founding member of Adelaide Roller Derby, she has skated her way around Australia, New Zealand and North America.
In her downtime, she is an avid gardener, maker of dumplings and baker of treats.
Georgina has a strong passion for and background in the arts, completing a Graduate Diploma in Art History from the University of Adelaide, working in Marketing at the Adelaide Fringe, volunteering at The David Roche Foundation and assisting the RSASA. She is passionate about helping the arts in South Australia, and the country, to become increasingly accessible to those living with varying disabilities, and to help artists with disability to have success in their creative careers.
Read moreAbbie Madden is a dancer, originally from Kaurna Land (Adelaide) where she was a member of the world renowned Australian Dance Theatre’s Youth Ensemble. Abbie relocated to Belfast in 2014 to fulfil her dream of working with ponydance and became a company member for two years. Abbie is a versatile performer and a founding member of the highly successful Yuck Circus. She also works as a choreographer with experience in dance performance along with creative research and developments, film, physical theatre and musical theatre. Abbie wishes to work with those with a vision impairment, coming from her own experiences being born with congenital glaucoma. In 2020 Abbie was awarded the National Leadership Award in Arts Access supported by the Australian Council for the Arts. Abbie continues to work in the arts and disability through advocacy. When she isn’t performing or making social change you can find her climbing around at heights as a qualified rigger and rope access technician. Abbie Madden is Artistic Director and founder of inclusive dance and circus company Blindful. Their work My Sight - Their Sight successfully completed an Australian and New Zealand tour in 2018.
Read moreAccess2Arts is a not-for-profit incorporated association governed by volunteer Board of Management (at least 51% of which must identify as Deaf or disabled people).
As a creative and strategic thinker, she is a business culture and workforce transformation expert with over two decades of experience in senior leadership roles. Michelle has helped some of Australia’s and the world’s largest companies boost their performance by deliberately designing their business culture and workforce experience. Michelle is the Founder, Director and Co-Owner of SynergyIQ, a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator (yes, she’s met Dr Brené Brown) and an accredited Culture and Behaviour Profiler.
With four published books under her belt and pursuing a Doctorate in business leadership, Michelle maintains relevance through continual learning, research and experimentation.
Michelle is a member of Professional Speakers Australia, a certified member and volunteer of the Australian Human Resources Institute, and a Board Member for Access2Arts where she is working with a passionate and committed group of people to creating a future where d/Deaf and disabled people thrive within an inclusive arts ecology.
Throughout Alison’s 20+ year career, her greatest passion has been education and community engagement. Alison’s studies and career have taken her around the world, with work including roles in government, the disability sector, and the arts. Alison delights in bringing ideas to life and is a skilled science communicator, project manager and impact leader. Alison has held leadership roles in local events Hybrid World Adelaide, Maker Faire Adelaide, and Adelaide Film Festival. Alison has produced and directed two plays in the Adelaide Fringe both with Auslan interpreters.
In 2019, Alison was a member of the first cohort of Australian National University’s 3A Institute, now School of Cybernetics, Masters of Applied Cybernetics. Now back in South Australia Alison is Manager of Inspiring South Australia, a science engagement and communication program working to create opportunities for community to connect with and learn about science through events, programs, and the arts. Her latest project is a host and co-producer of Channel 44’s ‘Be Curious’ featuring interviews with South Australian scientists, innovations, and creatives.
Tash is most passionate about making arts and crafts inclusive and accessible. This has been her mission statement for the last decade as she tours SA, spreading the joy of art to all. Tash started selling art on Kaurna Land in Adelaide, Australia, at just 13 years old. As an aspiring entrepreneur, she went on to established two art studios in the city, including the vibrant creative hub, Calamity's Craft Mart in 2022. Although the mart has closed, she now operates from The Mill, selling her unique wearable art online and at local markets.
Tash also runs various workshops for all ages, backgrounds and skill levels, from creative thinking, costume creating, jewellery making ands much more. Tash is a proud person in recovery as well as having lived experience with ill mental health and disability. Tash joined A2A with aspirations to become a louder advocate and resource.
Lachlan (Loki) Rickus has been performing in Adelaide, Australia and Internationally for over 20 years. Loki performed and worked with Cirkidz Youth Circus School graduating in 2003 and then has worked, trained and coached around Australia and overseas. Since breaking his neck in 2006 in a training accident Loki has taken back to the stage mixing his genres to create his own Cabaret Identity, writing and performing in acclaimed shows. Loki is one of The Fair Ground Project's founding members, TFGP was founded to create a safe and accessible professional training platform for Circus and Physical Theatre artists with a disability to work in an integrated setting.
Off stage Loki works as a Disability and Accessibility advocate and consultant in both the Arts and wider sectors and is passionate about accessibility in all art forms for both participants and audiences.
Boo Hooi has many years of experience in the computing industry with hardware and software design, software development, manufacturing, retail and customer services. He has previously delivered embedded computing solutions in the defence, health, education and construction sectors. In his current role he is responsible for the administration, eLearning content creation, project management, and providing high level leadership for the development and delivery of corporate work health and safety programs.
Boo Hooi’s diverse international work experience and cultural background coupled with his passion in connecting with people has allowed him to collaborate with others in a professional and personal capacity.
His lived experience also provides an opportunity to be an advocate for workplace accessibility and inclusion.
Benjamin Rice serves as a dedicated board member on Access to Arts, a prominent disability foundation. With a rich background in aviation, finance, and policy, in addition to a deep commitment to driving positive outcomes for individuals with disabilities, Benjamin brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to his role.
A graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Technology (Aviation), Benjamin is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His career spans various facets, including serving as aircrew in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), where he operated the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and instructed at the RAAF's School of Air Warfare.
Additionally, Benjamin served as the Air Liaison Officer during his embedded stint with the Defence Science and Technology Group's Aerospace Division. Here, he focused on Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) integration and the development of future training systems, contributing significantly to international military training innovation.
Benjamin's commitment to innovation and outcome-focused solutions led him to co-found Coherics, where he is currently Managing Director. Through Coherics, he leads a team of industry experts who share his passion for delivering highly capable staff and workers to clients, all while optimising efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Benjamin remains deeply connected to his interests in aviation and music, which he enjoys sharing with his son, Theodore. As a dedicated board member of Access to Arts, Benjamin leverages his diverse background and unwavering dedication to empower individuals with disabilities, making a lasting impact on the organisation's mission.
The people who work at Access2Arts have a lot of experience working in the arts and disability.
We think that the work Access2Arts does can make the arts more inclusive.
Gaelle Mellis is the Creative Director.
At Access2Arts it is her job to create great projects
and improve access in the arts.
Martin Sawtell is the Business Director.
At Access2Arts it is his job to support artists
and make sure Access2Arts pays bills.
Jody Holdback coordinates the Audio Description service.
Laura Smans coordinates the 30 X 30 Project.
Other awesome people work with us doing workshops and projects.