Reflections and appreciation - ACM

The curtain comes down on my time at Arts Centre Melbourne today. While it certainly hasn't been the year that I envisioned when signing my 12-month contract, it has absolutely delivered a year of growth, strengthening of resilience and exponentially grown my appreciation for the many forms of performing arts we have access to in Victoria. It has been an extraordinary year. I have learnt so much as to the workings and operations from the culture and public service sectors in Victoria. Thank you to all who I have been able to share this experience with.

Melbourne is absolutely world-class in what it delivers culturally - in our alley ways, stages, exhibitions and spaces. The sharing and celebration of culture ensures we're provided with a portal to express ourselves, be entertained and, be taken on journeys of provocations that leave us all ever richer in our understandings of who we are, and how the world operates. Creative expressions helps us realise where we've come from, a mirror of where we are at, and a crystal-ball of imagination as to the future we will share together. To this, I give a shout out to Ando, Mary, Carl, Wendy, Angharad and the Creative team of ACM. Your resilience and adaptability to this new world of performance has been critically important to ensure we stay connected, together and, united by enabling us to continue to share experiences that we all fondly miss by not being in our theatres (for now... this too shall pass). 

A #bravo and bid of thanks to the wisdom and leadership lessons I have learnt from Claire, Fiona, Beau, James, Linda and the broader leadership team. To have steered the ship through such uncertainty, allowing us to be vulnerable by sharing so honestly with us, and always being people led has been most appreciated and inspirational. You are ensuring the hard questions are being asked to your people and all pockets of the Victorian community - is ACM fit for purpose? what more can ACM be for Victoria? and how can ACM best celebrate together in our spaces as we emerge from the pandemic? (ensuring the utmost measures are being taken for patron's safety and health) - are all critical pillars that will enable ACM to return stronger than ever before. Turning on the ghost lights and shining the yellow beacon of inspiration from the Spire enables us to realise the beating heart of the performing arts is still alive, and the giant is ready to be reawaken when we can return to our performance home.

To Ian - your leadership and guidance provided has been felt by at all levels of the organisation. ACM is blessed to have you as Chair. I cannot wait to see your plans come to fruition. ACM will absolutely thrive under your guardianship. 

A special thanks to ACM's Strategic Partners that I have been privileged to get to know, and for your generous support. Partnerships will be integral to ACM's future and as we return to our spaces. You have already shown that some rather extraordinary engagements digitally can be achieved together, like Singapore Airline's Boarding Pass to AsiaTOPA. I look forward to what else you will be able to do together. 

The curtains will rise again on ACM's stages very soon. It will be an absolute treasure that Victorians, and everyone who visits, will be able to enjoy. 

Be well, stay safe, be forever curious to doing things better - and break a leg! ;) 

Per ardua ad astra - through adversity to the stars.   

Closing with one of my favourite memories of my time at ACM - being at the launch of Archie Roach's latest book. He is an absolute national treasure. Archie is an outstanding performer, a phenomenal leader. He continues to show great courage and conviction in his pursuit for equality. He will forever be sharing his story that enables us all to celebrate culture.

Go out and get his book. Listen to his music! Always ensure you acknowledge and embrace the wealth of knowledge we have to learn from outstanding leaders like Archie.