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.
Skye Bee (they/them) is an experienced events professional with a strong background in operations management, live performance, community services, and advocacy. As an autistic person, Skye is passionate about creating spaces where diverse communities can thrive and be heard. They are excited to support the vibrant Access2Arts community and champion meaningful collaborations. Skye’s is driven by a deep belief in the power of the arts to amplify underrepresented voices. When not streamlining processes or geeking out over spreadsheets and schedules, Skye can be found immersed in Adelaide’s creative scene.
Read moreJacqui 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 moreChloe Noble (she/they/he) is a visual artist and arts worker based on Kaurna Yerta / Adelaide. Their practice explores identity and emotional expression through painting, digital media, and installation, shaped by lived experiences of disability, neurodivergence, and queerness. Committed to access and inclusion, Noble also produces events and workshops that support and celebrate underrepresented artists.
Read moreMarcus McKenzie is a digital storyteller, filmmaker, and arts educator based on Kaurna Yerta in Adelaide. His work spans internationally acclaimed films, award-winning commercials, and inclusive filmmaking programs for neurodivergent and learning-disabled artists. Passionate about authentic, inclusive storytelling, he creates content and programs that connect audiences, empower communities, and celebrate underrepresented voices across screen and social media.
Read moreRuth Weldon (She/her) is a highly skilled and experienced arts worker living and working on Kaurna Land. Over her career Ruth has focused on working in access, youth arts, arts education and community & cultural development. This year she graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) with an MFA in Cultural Leadership. Ruth has been working as a freelance audio describer with Access2Arts since completing the training program in 2016, working across theatre productions, exhibitions and tours. Ruth is immensely passionate about making the arts accessible for all and helping foster the next generation of arts workers and makers.
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).
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.
Aimee is an Autistic writer, editor and critic living on stolen Kaurna yerta. A former staff writer at The Big Issue, she has also edited the magazine’s film and small screens pages. Her work is published by The Guardian, Literary Hub, Overland, Meanjin and more. Supported by a CreateSA Fellowship, Aimee is writing her first book—the hybrid memoir Heart of Felt: How Jim Henson’s Muppets Taught Me to Be a Person. With warmth, wit and a hint of eccentricity, it explores the ways in which art, childhood, nostalgia and neurotype shape our adult selves.
Bonnie is a proud disabled artist who has worked in the disability arts sector for over 20 years as a dancer, teacher, producer, and mentor. A long-time member of Restless Dance Theatre, she is currently a company dancer and the organisation’s social media content creator, helping to share Restless’ stories and creative impact with wider audiences.
Bonnie is also the producer of the sold-out show DOWNPOUR — an immersive contemporary cabaret — and a well-known burlesque performer, celebrated across Adelaide and interstate for her stage persona, Santosha Storm.
She brings to the board her deep commitment to access, diversity, and the creation of inclusive, empowering artistic opportunities for all.
Cassie is a marketing and communications professional with extensive experience across the disability and not-for-profit sectors. She combines strategic thinking with a collaborative approach to leadership and is known for building partnerships that deliver meaningful and inclusive outcomes.
Through leading major organisational and community initiatives, Cassie has played a key role in advancing access, participation, and inclusion for people with disability in all areas of life through awareness campaigns, partnerships, and strategic development projects.
Living with disability herself, Cassie is deeply passionate about universal design and full inclusion. She is pleased to be using her experience and lived insight to support Access2Arts in advancing equitable opportunities for everyone to participate in, work within, and enjoy the arts.
Nic Ettridge is a Deaf arts advocate, poet, and community leader dedicated to strengthening access, representation, and inclusion for Deaf people and people with disability. With lived experience at the centre of her practice, Nic champions disability rights, equitable participation, and diverse, safe creative spaces where everyone can belong.
Beyond her advocacy and work, Nic is an emerging poet whose writing explores, at a whisper, stillness, memory, belonging, and the quiet resilience forged through lived experience. Her influences span across disciplines, drawing inspiration from Charles Bukowski’s unapologetic voice, Geloy Concepcion’s emotional gravity through image and word, and Vincent van Gogh’s devotion to translating feeling into colour and movement.
Nic brings a collaborative spirit, values-led leadership, and a deep commitment to building a more inclusive arts ecosystem where all creativity is recognised, celebrated, and given space to breathe and take shape.
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.
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.