Melanie Riley
THE Riddoch Arts and Cultural Trust has welcomed two new members to its board.
The affairs of the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Trust Incorporated (RACT) are governed exclusively by the board and provide strategic direction for the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, including for collection and gallery content and policy direction.
Expressions of interest were open from mid-October, and the City of Mount Gambier made the decision to appoint April Hague and Stuart French as members.
Stuart French was born and raised in Mount Gambier and developed a successful career in corporate and council roles after moving interstate.
He had worked with various charities including My Room, Save the Children and Guide Dogs Australia, giving him the relevant fundraising and networking experience required of board members.
Mr French had since returned to his hometown and was described as a passionate advocate for the arts and the Riddoch, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for future generations in the region.
April Hague was appointed as director to the trust and was excited to step into the role.
As an arts educator and practicing artist in Mount Gambier/Berrin for the past 26 years, Ms Hague had built a strong network of contacts both personally and professionally.
She has a significant profile in the field of arts and culture, which she said was very relevant to the work of the trust.
“I felt that I had a lot to offer the board in this way, but also through my experience and skills which come from working with a wide range of people in many artistic and creative fields, such as exhibiting work, facilitating workshops and programs, and through my commission projects,” she said.
“I was very excited about the idea of supporting the gallery to achieve its goals for the future and in enticing more local people into the space, perhaps for the first time and I felt that this opportunity would be a way of me giving back to the community that has given me so much.
“Mount Gambier has a thriving arts community and I know that we are all so pleased to see the establishment of this trust and I felt that this was an opportunity too good to pass up.”
After those within her network drew her attention to the advertised expression of interest for the director position, Ms Hague was encouraged to apply.
She said the decision to join the board was multi-faceted. Ms Hague was thrilled to receive the notice her application had been successful.
“I was absolutely honoured to win a position,” she said.
Ms Hague believed the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre was an extremely valuable asset to the community on many fronts, and it was important to her to see it continue to grow and develop its national and international reputation.
With contemporary art a particular interest for Ms Hague, she felt the trust would be invaluable in supporting the Riddoch to collect and preserve artworks, as well as fundraising for a variety of gallery purposes.
“The staff of the Riddoch are dynamic and experienced and I know that they have the skills to really advance the centre in many exciting ways,” she said.
“I am very keen to support the institution to achieve its goals into the future and to develop my own professional skillset along the way.
“This is a position that I take very seriously and I look forward to serving on the Board to the very best of my ability.”
