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The Board maintains strategic oversight of the operations of the Canberra Potters’ Society/Watson Arts Centre and the finances, strategic risks and programs of CPS are standing items of discussion at each Board meeting. The Board supports the management and staff in its purpose to:

Maintain Canberra Potters and Watson Arts Centre as a dynamic, innovative and inspiring arts hub of excellence, supporting personal and professional development across all levels of ceramic arts practice while providing exciting community engagement through artist, exhibition and visitor experiences.

The board was appointed at the AGM in May 2023 and serves until the AGM in 2024. Collectively it encompasses a range of management, financial, governance, legal, education and artistic expertise:

Jill Farrelly

President & Chair

Jill has been a member of Canberra Potters for five years. She understands the benefits a thriving and sustainable organisation can provide to its members and will work to ensure CPS continues to contribute to the Canberra arts community. She aims to achieve a balance between strategic leadership, governance and meeting the needs of members.

Jill’s career has spanned more than 30 years in Federal and State Government agencies. She has worked in policy and program roles in areas such as children, women, disability and mental health. Jill has had extensive experience working with community groups, other government agencies and Ministers.

Janet DeBoos

Vice President

Honorary Senior Lecturer (2019- present), (Emeritus Fellow 2015-2018), Australian National University School of Art & Design. Janet was previously Head of Ceramics at ANU for over fifteen years (1998-2015), Head of Ceramics at her alma mater, East Sydney College of TAFE (now National Art School) 1979/80, and ran a production pottery (Brindabella Pottery) for almost twenty years in between. She was a Council Member, International Academy of Ceramics, (Australasian and African representative 2012-2020) and has been a member of the Academy since 2003. She is also a Professional Accredited Member of the Australian Capital Territory Craft Association, exhibiting member of The Australian Ceramic Association, and an artist member of the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA).

James Reading

Treasurer

James is an accomplished financial professional with 15 years’ experience in progressively senior roles within the sector. James has a track record of enhancing financial performance and driving process improvements in line with the objectives of organisations. Through these he has ensured quality, timely and accurate financial reporting, analysis and strategy.

James’ studied at the Australian National University and began his finance career in the Canberra offices of Dixon Advisory and PwC. He currently works for an international consultancy firm Kantar, having recently returned to Australia after a five-year stint in the United Kingdom.

Canberra Potters represents what James loves about Canberra, providing a wonderful facility where like-minded people can come together and explore their hobbies and professional interests. James intends to use his skillset to contribute to the growth of Canberra Potters, both as an organisation and a community.

James is a keen mountain-biker and enjoys the fantastic sense of community and facilities available in the Canberra region. His qualifications include: Chartered Accountant (full member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand); Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting/Finance) Australian National University; Bachelor of Economics; Australian National University.

Kerry Byers

Secretary

Kerry has been involved with CPS for the past four years since her retirement from her role as a workplace rehabilitation provider. In her work Kerry managed allied health professionals and managed client contracts. Kerry is experienced in preparing tender documents for work with local and federal government agencies. Kerry has a Certificate IV in Adult Training and was an accredited Mental Health First Aid trainer. Kerry has a Graduate Diploma in Community Counselling and has been an active volunteer over the years, mostly recently coordinating volunteers for Delta Therapy Dogs in the ACT and, in the 1990s with Lifeline ACT as a counsellor, trainer and Board member.

Kerry’s interest in pottery continues to develop and she is a regular participant in classes and activities at Canberra Potters. As her formal work commitments have eased, she is ready to devote her energies to the Canberra Potters community through board involvement. Kerry joined the Board in July 2020 and, at the September Board meeting was approved by the Board to take on the role of Secretary.

Natalie Truong

Board Member

Natalie is a qualified lawyer and brings to Canberra Potters 20 years of experience providing commercial, policy, governance, and strategic advice to government, organisations and boards. She enjoys building collaborative and inclusive spaces and cultures, and is an advocate for diversity, mentorship, and mental health awareness.

Natalie holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication both from the University of Technology Sydney, and an unrestricted legal practising certificate with the ACT Law Society. She is currently studying Creative Arts at the Canberra Institute of Technology and completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in June 2023.

Natalie joined the Board in June 2023 and looks forward to contributing the Canberra Potters community.

Nicole James

Board Member

Nicole is an avid potter, and has been a member of Canberra Potters since moving from Brisbane in 2021. Nicole is actively involved in classes and activities at Canberra Potters. Prior to taking up pottery in 2016, Nicole was a screenprinter for many years.

In her professional career, Nicole is an environmental scientist with more than two decades of environmental planning, management and policy development spanning several states, in both the public and private sectors. Nicole co-owns and manages several family businesses.

Nicole’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Education from Macquarie University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Charles Sturt University.

Victoria Richardson

Board Member

Victoria took her first wheel throwing class at Canberra Potters in 2022 and continues to love working with clay and improving her skills.

She holds Diplomas of Visual Art (CIT) and Screen and Media (AIE). Victoria is a Service Designer within the Australian Public Service. She blends her background in game design and visual art to better understand user experiences. She enjoys telling their stories in a creative way, to make services more inclusive and to improve people’s experience of using Government services.

She is excited to join the Board and to contribute to the Canberra Potters community.