Our People
Chief Executive & Board
Country Arts SA is one of South Australia’s largest arts organisations, providing arts services across regional South Australia. We deliver programs and initiatives, manage performing and visual arts venues, and provide funding which supports the creative endeavours of communities and individuals.
Anthony Peluso
Chief Executive / Executive Director
At the helm of South Australia’s largest regional arts organisation, Anthony works closely with artists, communities, and funding partners to deliver arts experiences that matter. Passionate about regional stories and voices, Anthony is a champion of First Nations peoples' rights and believes in the power of the arts to bring people together and celebrate local identity.
Anthony Peluso
Chief Executive / Executive Director
Christie Anthoney
Chair
Christie is an experienced arts leader with a vast background and network in festivals, local government, education and venue management. She has a strong commitment to social outcomes that progress creativity, support artists and generate wellbeing for all.
Christie Anthoney
Chair
Stephanie Toole
Board Member
Owner, winemaker of Mount Horrocks Wines in the Clare Valley, Stephanie Toole is Country Arts SA’s Board member representing the Mid-North & Yorke Peninsula region.
Stephanie Toole
Board Member
Ella Winnall
Board Member
Mayor of Berri Barmera Council, Ella has experience in regional development, specialising in economic and community development of rural communities. Passionate about developing the future of regional Australia, her skills and experience across community, tourism, local government, agriculture and innovation allows her to thread together the things that make communities tick to identify opportunities and deliver outcomes.
Ella Winnall
Board Member
Simone Bailey
Board Member
Mayor of the Mid Murray Council, Simone has an extensive background working in government in federal departments and prior to her appointment as Mayor working in the local government level at the Mid Murray Council. Simone has a passion for community and advocating for Riverland and Murraylands residents and is keen to foster collaboration within her community that addresses their multifaceted needs and aspirations.
Simone Bailey
Board Member
Emma Daly
Board Member
Mount Gambier's Emma Daly is committed to regional advocacy, community development, sustainable practice and the next generation of leaders. A passionate member of family business Van Schaik's Bio Gro, she is Country Arts SA's board member representing the Limestone Coast region.
Emma Daly
Board Member
Jack Ritchie
Board Member
Jack is a director of an independent consultancy firm based in the Eyre Peninsula. Jack has an extensive background in arts, cultural development, governance, strategy and fundraising throughout Australia. He is passionate about the role the arts play in innovation, creativity, transformation and community development.
Jack Ritchie
Board Member
Michael Waite
Board Member
Michael is a South Australian leader with global executive experience across finance, governance, and community development. As founder of Waite Partners Advisory and a regional publisher, he brings a strong commitment to creative communities, strategic growth, and strengthening arts access across regional South Australia.
Michael Waite
Board Member
Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin
Board Member
Lee-Ann is a Narungga, Wirangu and Wotjobaluk woman who has won numerous prizes for her contribution to the arts. She has been a member of the Creative Australia and Tarnanthi boards, the National Museum of Australia Indigenous Advisory Committee, and the Country Arts SA First Nations Advisory Committee since its inception.
Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin
Board Member
Staff
Leadership
Anthony Peluso
Chief Executive
[email protected]
Sam Yates
First Nations Arts Director
[email protected]
Vacant
Chief Operating Officer
Cassandra Barendregt
Development Director
[email protected]
Sussan Baldwin
Arts Centres Leader
Hugh Atkinson
Manager Human Resources
[email protected]
Rebecca Symons
Strategy and Governance Lead
[email protected]
Arts Programming
Sarah Knight
Executive Programmer
For performing arts proposals and enquiries, please check the Performing Arts page first.
Contact: [email protected]
Diana Maschio
Associate Producer
Ty Robinson
Emerging Producer Intern
Lauren Mustillo
Visual Arts Manager
[email protected]
Asha Southcombe
Visual Arts Coordinator
[email protected]
Damien Cassidy
Major Projects Producer
[email protected]
First Nations Program
Josh Trevorrow
First Nations Arts & Cultural Manager
[email protected]
Dominic Guerrera
First Nations Producer
[email protected]
Marika Davies
Tarnanthi Regional Curator
[email protected]
Jayda Wilson
First Nations Associate Producer
[email protected]
Star Sandford
Theatre Producer, Kumarangk
[email protected]
Temeika Campbell
Community Engagement Producer
[email protected]
Cultural Development
Deb Myers
Arts and Culture Manager
[email protected]
Pete Gately
Grants Program Administrator
[email protected]
Amandine Bachmann Caire
Regional Tarnanthi Producer
[email protected]
Molly Flanagan-Sjöberg
Arts & Cultural Facilitator
Country Arts SA (Yorke Peninsula Council)
[email protected]
Teresa Coles
Arts and Cultural Facilitator
Country Arts SA (City of Whyalla)
[email protected]
Gillian Steel
Arts and Cultural Facilitator
Country Arts SA (City of Port Lincoln)
[email protected]
Jane Ellis
Arts and Cultural Facilitator
Country Arts SA (Naracoorte Lucindale Council)
[email protected]
Fleur Kilpatrick
Arts and Cultural Facilitator
Country Arts SA (Regional Council of Goyder)
[email protected]
Middleback Arts Centre
Contact the team at the Middleback Arts Centre at [email protected]
Lucille Sellars-Harris
Operations Manager
Lisa Faulds
Administration Officer
Chloe Jones
Digital Projectionist
Northern Festival Centre
Contact the team at the Northern Festival Centre at [email protected]
Vacant
Operations Manager
Bianca Roeters
Administration Officer
Paul Schrader
Theatre Technician
Anna Folkmer
Finance Administrative Officer
Chaffey Theatre
Contact the team at the Chaffey Theatre at [email protected]
Sharlene Goodman
Art Centre Manager
[email protected]
Lara Vallelonga
Administration Officer
Sophie Cass
Administration Officer
Luke Meaney
Theatre Technician
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
Contact the team at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre at [email protected]
Frank Morello
Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre Manager
[email protected]
Jo Smith
Administration Officer
Anthea Duryea
Administration Officer
Fay Cakebread
Theatre Technician
Hopgood Theatre
Briony Hunt
Operations Manager
[email protected]
Lauren Grant
Administration Officer
Andrew Lye
Hopgood Theatre Technician
Relationships
For any marketing and media enquiries please contact [email protected]
Emma Rains
Marketing Manager
Beth Wuttke
Head of Design
Jess Costello
Digital Strategist
Aden Shukla
Digital Marketing Officer
Sarah Herrmann
Communications and Publicity Officer
Paula Backstrom
Marketing and Community Relations Officer
Jess Little
Development and Philanthropy Officer
Clare Edmondson
Communications and Philanthropy Officer
Operations/HR
Please contact finance at [email protected]
Penny Zhang
Finance Manager
Angela Nguyen
Finance Officer
Mimi Nguyen
Finance Officer
Vacant
HR Coordinator
Astrid Gunner
Infrastructure Manager
[email protected]
First Nations Advisory Committee
Country Arts SA is committed to the continued development of its First Nations program and in 2011 established an Aboriginal Reference Group (ARG) to support the program. In June 2019 the ARG became an official committee of the Board and was the Aboriginal Advisory Committee before developing into the First Nations Advisory Committee in 2021.
The First Nations Advisory Committee (FNAC) was established by the Board of Trustees (the Board) under Section 10 of The South Australian Country Arts Trust Act, 1992 to assist Country Arts SA in all aspects of decision making regarding First Nations arts, culture and people.
The purpose of the FNAC is to provide advice, governance and leadership to Country Arts SA Board and staff on First Nations people and the arts.
First Nations Advisory Committee Members
Lee-Ann Buckskin
Narungga, Kaurna, Wirangu, Wotjobaluk
Lee-Ann Buckskin and Associates
Dre Ngatokorua
Wankangurru, Adnyamathnha, Kuyani, Luritja, Deiri, Yankunyjatara, Cook Island and Maori descent
DJ, Broadcaster, Multimedia presenter
Doug Clinch
Yamatji, Badimia
Jeremy Last
Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara
Rebecca Hunter-Harvey
Peramangk and Ngarrindjeri
Tahlia Wanganeen
Narungga, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri