Jacquie Happ
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.

Susanne Finn
Vice-Chair

As Vice Chair, Susanne brings more than 20 years’ senior leadership experience as Executive Director of a private investment company and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She has served as an economics and sustainability advisor to local government, previously delivered major public-facing programs at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, and also led other major initiatives in the not-for-profit philanthropy sector.

She serves on the management committee that initiated the John Stringer Prize, advancing the careers of WA emerging and mid-career artists. Her substantial philanthropic contribution to the arts and deep understanding of cultural organisations further strengthen the strategic capability and governance of the MRROS Board.

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 an 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.

Community minded, Susan is an eternal organiser who is passionate about nurturing and supporting small business and the arts. Recently retired from Nexia Perth, Susan is looking forward to dedicating more time to travel, family and exploring the south west.

Andrew Thornton Hick

With an introduction to art in a Belgian high school and a decade working in Milan, Paris and London, ATH has over 25 years of global creative experience. More ideas than time, ATH runs a successful design practice and is a staunch supporter and promoter of authentic art and design trajectories for Western Australian creatives.

ATH has launched his own furniture designs in Milan, reviewed the Milan iSalone show for 20 years and completed luxury residential interiors in four countries. As well as exhibiting in international design fairs his furniture designs have been exhibited at the National Gallery of Design in Canberra and he has won Best Exhibition Design at Grand Designs LIVE in London. Recent bespoke furniture works include the “WALKING GIBNEY” desk for Linton&Kay Galleries in Cottesloe and “THE SUM OF US” reception piece for Indeko Studio.

In 2023 ATH won the Sculpture by the Bay Acquisitive Prize for his work “IDENTITY SENTINELS” – a piece about humanity coming together post-COVID, and an award at Small Sculptures for “IN PURSUIT” a piece about freedom of speech. He has work in Sculpture by the Freeway on premanent display in West Perth. His interiors work on City Beach residence “VILLA ULTIMO” won two major national building design awards including the major prize for Design Excellence. His interiors have also won Australian Apartment of the Year in 2019.

For ten years ATH has sponsored the Thornton Hick Award at NMT seeking innovation in design thought and has been Art Ambassador for the Margaret River Region Open Studios and Ambassador for Havenist Magazine since 2023.

@andrewthorntonhick

Janine Pittaway

Janine brings nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement to the MRROS board. She has worked across the private, public and community sectors, delivering strategic communications, media relations, content and public relations campaigns.

As founder and principal of Bright Communications, Janine supported clients through consultation, implementation and ongoing engagement. She was the MRROS publicist from 2018 to 2025 before accepting a full-time strategic communications role at Capecare in October.

Janine has provided communications counsel to a diverse array of iconic WA events including Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Red Bull Air Race, ANZAC Albany, V8 Supercars, Perth International and Johnnie Walker Classic Golf Tournaments, Women’s Ballooning World Championships and the Great Aussie BBQ for the Queen as part of CHOGM. Her experience includes brand development, crisis communications and high-profile events, with a focus on building trust and meaningful relationships across communities. She has lived in the Margaret River Region for 12 years.

Toni Salmon

Toni grew up on a wheat and sheep farm near Tammin, Western Australia. Like many farmers’ daughters, moved to Perth after high school to pursue a career in travel and hone her city skills.

In 1996 she followed her heart to Tom Price and by 2000 had settled in Dampier with her “forever person,” working in the community development space. Creativity has always been part of her world — from painting and wire work to jewellery — but it wasn’t until 2018, when she was introduced to clay, that something truly clicked.

After thirty years living and working in the Pilbara, Toni relocated to beautiful Dunsborough with her husband and daughter, finally stepping fully into life as a full-time potter. She works from her home studio using slab building, coiling and carving techniques to create functional and sculptural pieces, along with statement jewellery and regularly volunteers at the Manna and Mercy community kitchen.

This is her third year exhibiting in MRROS — her favourite event on the creative calendar — and she looks forward to supporting the committee and fellow artists, helping to ensure the region’s creative spirit is shared and nurtured.

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.

Camille Reid

After a long career teaching performing arts in tertiary education, Camille Reid became a full-time ceramic artist in 2021. During her academic career she also served for many years on the committee of DramaWest, including as President, supporting, and advocating for drama teachers across Western Australia.

For the past four years Camille has participated as an artist in Margaret River Region Open Studios. Although she is not exhibiting this year for personal reasons, she continues to support the event as a committee member.

Her ceramics reflect a deep appreciation for rustic aesthetics and the stories within materials. Working in small batches, she combines wheel-throwing and hand-building to create functional pieces that balance individuality, form, and glaze.