Kent Morris

Kent is a Barkindji man, a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and an alumnus of the Wesfarmers Indigenous Arts Leadership Program. He has over 20 years experience as a practising artist and curator and has specialist knowledge of, and connections within, the Indigenous Australian arts and culture industry. Kent has a strong interest in the educational and healing potential of the arts and in 2011 joined The Torch to design, develop and deliver the Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community program.

Susannah Day

Susannah is a Martu woman, originally from WA, living in Naarm (Melbourne) since 2016. Susannah has worked for sixteen years in cultural program management, arts programming, and producer roles, predominantly within small to medium arts organisations. Recent roles have included Head of Programs & Operations at Brunswick Mechanics Institute managed by Next Wave, Dance Massive Coordinator for City of Melbourne and Producer of The Blue Room Theatre. From 2019-2021 she held the role of Program Manager of The Torch, and in June 2022 stepped into the newly created role of General Manager, leading the strategic vision and operations of the organisation.

Sharn Geary

Sharn is a Bundjalung woman originally from Grafton NSW with a diverse professional background. From studying Graphic Design at Billy Blue to gaining over fifteen years’ experience in ecommerce fulfilment. Her creative love is contemporary jewellery and has worked with a variety of materials; from producing resin jewellery for Dinosaur Designs, to metals and silversmithing. Sharn was a participant in the inaugural year of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Blak Design program. Drawing from her expertise in logistics, she then became Program Coordinator for Blak Design. Creating environments for artists so they can create is a culmination of Sharn’s working experience, culture and passion for empowering First Peoples artists.

Matty Chilly

Matthew is a proud multi-clan nations man, a descendant from the Wemba-Wemba, Neri-Neri, Yiti-Yiti, Mutti-Mutti, Wuradjuri, Yorta-Yorta, Watti-Watti, Barapa-Barapa and Gubbi Gubbi tribes. He also has ancestral ties to the Maori Iwi’s of New Zealand. Matthew developed an appetite, a desire and a dream for the arts when he was young and realised that he could draw, paint and create. Matthew lives in Culture every day through his art practices that include painting, weaving, photography, Smoking Ceremonies, dancing and digital art. Matthew has worked for 11 years for Community in Housing, Admin and AOD work. Matthew works with The Torch’s male participants in prison as well as in community.

Paul Kelly

Paul is a Gunditjmara man with a broad set of skills & experience ranging from screen-printing, Dj-ing, and cultural tourism which involved raising awareness of cultural biodiversity & geological information in the community. He also worked extensively as a community convenor for government agencies and high-platform sporting clubs. Paul brings a strong cultural connection through practices he learned growing up on Country in Framlingham and is still actively engaged in traditional dancing and community events. Paul’s art and cultural practice includes stone and acrylic paintings, artefact and necklace making, drone photography, along with making and performing the Yidaki. Paul is joining the Torch for three days per week and will be supporting the in-prison and in-community participants of the Barwon South region.

Clare Williams

Clare Williams is a Wiradjuri woman with a passion for art and Indigenous advocacy. Clare grew up on Meanjin Country (Brisbane) and received a bachelor’s in Contemporary Australia Indigenous Art from Griffith University in 2011. Through her studies, Clare explored her Identity as an Indigenous woman and artist living in an urban environment. Clare’s contemporary art practice explores the notion of identity and femininity using watercolour paintings, drawing and photography. With a background in graphic design and youth work, Clare joins The Torch team as an Indigenous Arts Officer supporting both In-Prison and In-Community participants.

Felicity Chafer-Smith

Felicity Chafer-Smith is a Ngarrindjeri woman from South Australia, who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Business with Swinburne University. She is also an artist who enjoys sharing personal memories of growing up with her family though her acrylic paintings on canvas. Felicity was first introduced to The Torch during a term of imprisonment at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Upon release and reintegration, Felicity began working as the Accounts and Operations Assistant with The Torch, then moving on to a new role as an Arts Officer.

Chris Hume

Chris is a Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung man with a dedicated career in community engagement and cultural development. As a Cultural Wellbeing Coordinator at Mullum Mullum for over a decade, he has been instrumental in advancing the wellbeing of Aboriginal men. A passionate advocate for positive change, Chris is an active member of the Southern Warriors Motorcycle Club, which focuses on reducing family violence among Aboriginal men. Additionally, he is Masters Boxing state champion and operates a small boxing gym in Healesville, where he mentors young men. In recognition of his contributions, Chris was honored as the 2024 Victorian NAIDOC Sportsperson of the Year. His extensive cultural practice and knowledge make him a respected figure in his community and beyond.

Daniel Laird

Daniel, a proud Wiradjuri man from New South Wales, grew up in Naarm (Melbourne) with a strong love for arts, music, and close family bonds. Despite facing challenges during his time at Ravenhall Prison from 2018 to 2020, participating in the Torch Program reignited his passion for creativity and his connection to his culture. Since his release, Daniel has actively participated in various exhibitions, using his art to express personal resilience and pride in his Indigenous heritage. His journey highlights the role of family support in navigating difficult times and the power of art to heal and inspire.

Christopher Austin

Chris is a Keerraaywoorrong man from the Gunditjmara Nation of south western Victoria. Chris is immensely proud of his culture and has found creating art and sharing stories has given him direction in his life. After over 30 years in and out of prison, Chris has now been In Community for over four years. He is an inspiration and has such an amazing amount of lived experience and cultural knowledge to support our In Prison and Post Release artists.

Joel Birnie

Joel is a BIPOC Australian artist, academic, historian, writer and filmmaker. Joel has a BA in Indigenous Studies from University of South Australia, a Master of Fine Arts at Monash University, and recently completed a PhD at Monash University, specialising in decolonising colonial narratives, documentation and literature.

Chris Keeler

Chris worked for many years in the field of First Nations cultural heritage at the Koorie Heritage Trust and Museum Victoria, including managing cultural collections, curating exhibitions, and researching and producing resources. In 2015 she moved to The Torch to research and produce program resources and assist with the management of artworks and exhibitions. She now provides administrative and operations support to the Executive Team and the Board.

Sarah Barrow

Sarah Barrow joined The Torch in 2018 building on years of experience in the arts and culture sector, in positions spanning arts facilitation, project management and collection management. She also has experience working alongside remote Indigenous communities, where she supported the development of creative enterprises. Sarah holds a Master of Art curatorship. As Art Development Director, she is focused on audience development, creative partnerships, and building economic-participation opportunities for Torch artists.

Sarah Hall

Sarah Hall has joined The Torch after working for a not-for-profit arts collective that represents over 900 Indigenous artists from the Western and Central desert region of Australia. In her role as Art Development Manager she will draw from her experiences supporting arts practice in remote communities, as well as her broader experience in theatre and the arts sector. She is focused primarily on exhibition management, audience development, creative partnerships, and building economic-participation opportunities for Torch artists.

Gabrielle Callan

Gabrielle is a recent graduate of the University of Melbourne where she completed a Master of Arts and Cultural Management and Graduate Certificate in Cultural Material Conservation. She has experience in collection management, conservation and art support in non-profit arts organisations including Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association and Arts Project Australia. Sarah provides exhibition management as well as overseeing collection management, art sales and licensing. She also leads the Art team staff members and continues to develop art sales and licensing opportunities for Torch participants.

Tessa Spooner

Tessa is a senior arts administrator with expertise in curation, production and collection management. With over 15 years of experience in cultural productions and exhibitions and has a solid track record developing and executing high-impact cultural programs and events, with a strong emphasis on promoting First Nations art and culture. Prior to working with The Torch she held leadership roles at fortyfivedownstairs, La Mama theatre and Menzies. Tessa facilitates licensing agreements, oversees artwork commissions and supports exhibition planning.

Melissa Petty

Melissa Petty has over 16 years experience working in the arts, including working for Arts Project Australia for close to 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Majoring in Fine Art – RMIT, a Diploma of Arts – Illustration (NMIT), and has studied Collection Management at Melbourne University.

She has depth of experience in arts administration, front-of-house customer support and sales, curation, communications, collections management, and arts program development and facilitation.

George Ironside

George Ironside, a graduate of RMIT with a Bachelor of Animation and Interactive Media, is a multidisciplinary artist with years of experience in galleries and the arts, both locally and internationally. As a muralist and stop-motion animator, she has partnered with diverse communities, from collaborating with female Indigenous artists in a remote women’s shed to managing her own street art gallery in Berlin. In her role as Sales Coordinator, she strives to elevate awareness of the program and its talented artists.

Danielle Hakim

Danielle has worked in the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) sector for over a decade. Her experience in archives and arts spaces is wide ranging including roles at the State Library of Victoria and non-profit Arts Project Australia. She co-founded the Women’s Mural Documentation Project alongside Sally Northfield, producing the award winning “Re-imagining the Women’s Mural: a virtual tour”, a collaborative community arts project with Her Place Women’s Museum and artists Eve Glenn and Megan Evans.

Ash Thomas

Ash is a Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri man who was born in Shepparton who first joined The Torch in 2016. Ash has a lifelong passion for art and now practices his art on Wurundjeri Country. His artwork is detail-oriented and represents a strong connection to his identity and culture. His artworks are proudly hung in Moorabbin Court and the City of Melbourne art collection and he was the recipient of the 2019 Chroma Art Award. Ash has been working as a part-time Art Support Assistant since May 2023. He is responsible for supporting the packing and sale of artwork, collection management and assisting the art-team with exhibitions.

Stacey Edwards

Stacey is a Taungurung/Boon Wurrung woman who first joined The Torch program in 2017. Stacey describes herself as a grandchild of the Stolen Generation and has been living in Melbourne. Stacey is exploring and reclaiming southeast Australian designs through her paintings, referencing concentric diamond designs from traditional shields and clubs from South-Eastern Australia. Stacey has been working as a part-time Art Support Assistant since August 2023. She is responsible for supporting the packing and sale of artwork, collection management and assisting the art-team with exhibitions.

Grace Perry

Grace joined The Torch in 2024 as Marketing and Communications Manager. She was previously at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art for five years managing ACCA’s media partnerships, leading marketing campaigns across digital and traditional media and crafting compelling funding applications and reports. In 2020–22, Grace was Artist Assistant to Gunnai/Waradgerie artist Robert Michael Young, preparing proposals, EOIs and managing day-to-day operations in consultation with the artist. She is passionate about using her skills and expertise to highlight creative work by First Nations artists in Victoria.

Amelia Easdale

Amelia brings over a decade of fundraising expertise from her tenure at two prominent nature conservation organisations, Trust for Nature, and Victorian National Parks Association. Known for her steadfast commitment to organisational growth, she thrives on nurturing donor and grants programs over the long term. With a focus on donor acquisition and stewardship, she has a proven track record in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships, driving supporter engagement, and securing vital funding to advance environmental conservation efforts. Amelia is excited to learn about the breadth of First Nations art and cultural practices as she supports the growth of The Torch’s philanthropic program.

Sophie Waincymer

Sophie has worked across the social justice sector for over 10 years. Over her career, Sophie has worked as a social impact consultant, within large and small not-for-profits, on a Taskforce led by the Commission for Aboriginal Children and Youth People and the Department of Justice, and within the philanthropic sector. She has recently been drawn to the unique impact that comes from community development work alongside the healing powers of the arts. Sophie is coordinating the design and implementation of a culturally safe and appropriate system for evaluating the impact of The Torch.

Bobby Yung

Bobby has a love of all things digital and their transformative potential. He has a Bachelor of Business and has been working in digital marketing for over five years. Born in New Zealand, he has called Australia home for over two decades. Amidst his journey, he’s been inspired to deepen his comprehension of First Nations culture, recognising its rich heritage and significance. His role at The Torch is to oversee IT, CRM, Systems and Digital Marketing.