Jim Davies
Chair of the Board

I enjoyed a 40 year marketing and advertising career in the U.K. and Australia, in many roles including; as the inaugural MD of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia, the vice Chairman of S&S London and ex CEO/Chairman of 303 Perth. I admire the creative artistic process, it has given me great pleasure over the years and this is an opportunity to give something back to the arts community.

Jacquie Happ
Vice-Chair

Jacquie has been involved in starting many events and art projects in the Dunsborough region for nearly thirty years with most of it as a volunteer.  For this she received an Order of Australia Medal in 2024.

In addition to working her dream job as the Cultural Development Officer at the City of Busselton, Jacquie manages Happs Pottery and Icon Honey in partnership with potter and beekeeper husband Myles . She believes she has a good eye though her artistic work is in the organisational sphere, bringing together people to ‘experience something’ being the driver.

She has been the chair of the Dunsborough & Districts Progress Association for nearly 20 years, only recently stepping down in 2024 though still on the committee. Jacquie volunteers for a variety of festivals and has been on the committee for quite a few active groups across the City of Busselton.

Cindy Nasato
Secretary

Born in Perth, Cindy moved to Margaret River eight years ago, after studying business and working with the Defence Force in Sydney and Canberra.  She began her art journey from a young age and after relocating to Margaret River, she was eager to reconnect with her talent.

Cindy has become an award-winning artist in the Margaret River Region and often hosts art workshops for the community. Last year, she served as the Margaret River representative for Open Studios, building networks amongst local artists.

A dedicated volunteer in the local art community, Cindy understands how important it is for artists to support one another, and strives to foster that spirit of encouragement within our community.

Susan Montanari
Treasurer

Born in London, Susan has in inherent love of the performing and visual arts. Her career in finance commenced with PwC in London and continued in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Whilst living in Asia for 15 years, Susan and her family frequently visited the Margaret River Region; and eventually made it their home.

Susan is currently Chief Operating Officer at Nexia Perth where she focuses on risk management, financial success, process improvement and digitalisation. Community minded, Susan is an eternal organiser who is passionate about nurturing and supporting small business and the arts.

Karen Seaman

Born in the UK, Karen came to Australia as a very small child. She has lived in the South West since 1989 and on her Jacka Road property since 1991. She is happiest living in the country and finds constant inspiration for her art through walking and working on 140-acres of bushland.

Since graduating from Teachers College in 1985 and a BA in Visual Arts from Canberra School of Art in 1988, Karen has maintained her studio practice alongside her career in primary school art education. She is a multidisciplinary artist who derives great pleasure from develoing mastery of materials.  With a strong grounding in observational drawing, Karen has developed as an artist through her enjoyment of experimentation. She participates regularly in Margaret River Region Open Studios, submits her art to group exhibitions and wins awards.

Georgia Zoric

Georgia Zoric grew up in Perth, daughter of lauded knitwear designer, Libby Peacock.

After studying Graphic Desigh at Perth Technical College in the late 80s, Georgia worked and travelled, broadening her artistic skills across every discipline. Moving to Margaret River with husband Peter and their 3 children in 2009 Georgia found a passion for bush crafts and magpies and hence kept herself busy on their small property until moving to Busselton in 2018.

In 2019 Georgia finally discovered ceramics  and in doing so brought together her broad artistic knowledge into one discipline. 2022 was her first year exhibiting in MRROS, and after her sell out show she was keen to do all she could to support and promote fellow emerging artists in the SW region.

Melanie Jarman

Melanie was born in England and grew up in Hong Kong.

She has worked and travelled extensively with her career in Hotel Management. She and her husband Rob have lived in WA since 2005 and in Busselton since 2010.

While a full-time mother to three gorgeous children, Melanie was able to develop her keen interest in all forms of art including dry needle felting watercolour, textiles, mixed media through various local art groups and mentors. Mel established Lighthouse Framing in 2019 and has continued to forge strong relationships within the South West artistic community.  A natural networker, Mel has a heart for local connections and MRROS board involvement is enabling Mel to follow her heart’s desire to ensure that existing and emerging artists feel nurtured in a supportive community.