Board & Staff

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WAYJO board members volunteer their time to create new opportunities for WAYJO musicians. A mix of business and arts personelle, the Board actively build relationships with organisations and individuals who can help WAYJO embark on projects such as touring, recording and performing with high profile jazz musicians.

Artistic Director – Ex-officio

Gemma Farrell

General Manager – Ex-officio

Monique Douglas

I have worked in the Arts for over 25 years both as an artist and Arts Manager. I started my career as a professional classical ballet dancer performing throughout Europe with the Bayerisches Staatsoper in Munich including co – productions with the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia. I also performed with several ballet companies in Australia including Queensland Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre and Tasmanian Classical Ballet.

After retiring from ballet, I studied Arts Management at the WA Academy of Performing Arts. After graduation I went on to work in Arts Management for a range of arts companies including the Australian Dance Theatre, Quantum Leap, Youth Ballet WA, and Deckchair Theatre. My passion for all arts led me to the position of Executive Director of Propel Youth Arts WA – a multi-faceted arts organization where I gained insight into many art forms and the challenges faced by young and emerging artists in WA.

I bring to WAYJO my skills in arts management, but also my passion and utmost respect for young artists. I want to use my skills to support what our musicians can bring not only to the arts industry but to the wider State, National and International audiences, and communities.

Chair

Simon Durack

I am currently the Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer at Advanced Health Intelligence Ltd. I have a wide range of business experience and have been the Managing Director of Advanced Management Services, Executive Director at MinRex Resources Limited and served as a Council Member of Servite College. I have a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.

I have 30 years’ experience as an accredited CPA working in Australia, South East Asia and Europe and over 20 years of Board Experience. I bring a wide range of skills to our WAYJO Board including corporate finance, management consulting, corporate governance, risk management and Business strategy.

I joined the WAYJO Board in December 2020 – just before the pandemic. It was a challenging time for WAYJO but we used the time to develop new strategies, re – structure and get prepared to get back to the music. I am passionate about music and the amazing work WAYJO does not just with our performances but our work in the community. I enjoy seeing the continued growth of WAYJO in terms of output, quality, and audience reach.

Vice Chair

Jon Bennett

I bring to the board commercial, financial, sustainability and governance experience, including twenty plus years with Shell Petroleum in Melbourne, London, The Hague and Pacific Islands. I worked in various finance, commercial, business services and strategy roles. Having served on other NFP and commercial boards, I bring experience and in running effective board meetings and ensuring that WAYJO staff and performers have the board support they deserve.

When my daughter joined the Progressions programme, was I impressed with the fantastic development and support she was given This led to her auditioning while in year 9 and she succeeded. From her time in WAYJO, I saw many shows as she progressed through the bands. I saw her confidence grow and that she was enthusiastic with the programme and the performance opportunities.  When I was asked if I would consider joining the board, the answer was easy.

My most memorable impact on WAYJO was in 2020 when I’d just joined the board. Deep into a Covid lockdown, another director and I led the strategy review. Why waste a good lockdown! The strategy had input from board members, staff, and band members, and was designed to take WAYJO towards the next 40 years. This became the cornerstone of the programmes, organisational changes and developments we are now seeing come to fruition.

Treasurer

Steele Bromley

Steele is currently the General Manager of Finance at Australian Strategic Materials (ASM). He has been a Senior Finance professional and has over 15 years commercial experience including financial reporting, capital asset management, business partnering, taxation, feasibility, risk management, insurance programs, project management, strategy, and systems. Steele brings his vast experience in Finance to WAYJO’s Board and serves as an enthusiastic Treasurer. His passion for jazz and seeing our young musicians flourish and develop at WAYJO’s concerts inspire him.

Cathryn Adams

Cathryn saw her first professional musical – Cats – when she was seven years old, and from then on, she spent many hours in the theatre as a child. Ever since she fell in love with the theatre Cathryn has been a passionate patron of the arts, enjoying acting and dance herself before pursuing a career in business and marketing, developing commercial strategies for some of the world’s most influential and iconic brands.

Since 2018, Cathryn has been based in Sydney where she is the Commercial Director for Sky News Australia. In this role, Cathryn leads the network’s sales and partnership teams and spearheads all revenue generating initiatives.

Having grown up in Perth, Cathryn maintains an active interest in the city and its art scene. She is inspired to join WAYJO to help foster musical talent in young people for the long-term preservation of Perth’s cultural community, both interstate and internationally.

Annika Andrew

I am an in-house lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience providing advice and support to government departments, charitable groups, and private companies. I am currently the Director, Legal Services at Lotterywest.

I support WAYJO’s mission to develop joyful and sustainable opportunities for young people, their families, and their supporters. I encourage our Board and staff to hold effective and efficient discussions, identify risks and opportunities and subsequently reach intended outcomes.  I bring to WAYJO a unique understanding of risk around grant funding and challenges faced by not-for-profits.

I have supported WAYJO as a Board member since 2019 and am the inaugural and ongoing Chair of the People and Culture Sub – Committee. I have assisted WAYJO in technical matters such as constitutional replacement but am particularly proud of my work in developing the culture of the WAYJO team as collaborative and united by a common goal to ensure every musician has a wonderful experience.

Tracy Armson

I bring to the board Marketing, Communications and Research experience from my time at Horizon Power, RAC, GESB, Curtin University, REIWA, Boots the Chemist, Hahn Premium, Swan Draft, Swan Gold, Connoisseur, Peters Ice-cream, Lyles Golden Syrup, Sucralose, Horizon Power, Peters Ice-Cream, and Lion Nathan. I am a big-picture strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability in facilitation, strategic planning, and execution, and have over 20 years’ experience on not-for-profit boards.

I am impressed with the talent of the performers and the programs WAYJO offers in the community. I look forward to bringing my expertise to the Board to support the continuation of these wonderful artists and programs in the future.

Annaliese Eames

I am currently the Chief Legal & External Affairs Officer, bringing almost 20 years of experience in corporate law, governance, and company secretarial matters. My professional career has spanned a range of industries, where I have developed strong expertise in guiding organisations through legal, compliance, and external stakeholder engagement challenges.

In addition to my corporate career, I am a trained classical musician in both piano and pipe organ. For over 20 years, I have been deeply involved in the West Australian music scene, contributing to choirs, orchestras, bands, and musical productions. Currently, I am the Director of Music at the Church of the Resurrection, where I lead a professional choir of eight and bring my passion for music to life through community engagement.

With this unique blend of legal, governance, and musical experience, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, supporting young talent and furthering the growth of our vibrant music community.

Andrew Fairbairn

I identify as a disabled person. I have an acquired physical disability. I believe that I bring a sense of empathy and understanding of difference to WAYJO that is unique. I bring to the organisation a well-developed communication style, a sense of humour, an understanding of Youth development pathways and a very capable listening ear.

I am proud to be a part of the People and Culture Subcommittee within the Board and contribute suggestions and advice in specialised areas. Finding ways to help the Staff and young people grow and develop to be most rewarding.

I was looking for a Board where I could diversify my skills and contribute my current skills. Through Leadership WA Alumni, I heard that WAYJO was looking for new Board members. I did my research and found the culture, the mission, and the people at WAYJO aligned closely to my leadership skills.

I have been a musician all my life and am trained in both Classical and Jazz. My first professional music job was with the Royal Australian Navy as a 15-year-old. At that age I learned so much about myself, music, working as a team and many other life skills that have served me well to date. I have a BA from WAAPA and have taught in many schools in the metropolitan area. I have become a student of leadership and development in many aspects of life, but particularly in diversity and inclusion for all. I see the young people coming through the WAYJO bands, the Staff and Leadership of the organisation all developing along a similar pathway.

Band Representative – Ex-officio

To be confirmed

Our friendly, approachable team are on hand to help with any queries you may have.

General Manager
Monique Douglas – monique.douglas@wayjo.com

Artistic Director
Gemma Farrell – gemma.farrell@wayjo.com

Business & Development Manager
businessdevelopment@wayjo.com

Events & Program Manager
Vacant – events@wayjo.com

Operations Coordinator
Lucy Iffla – admin@wayjo.com

Bookkeeper
Amanda Luke – accounts@wayjo.com

Artistic Director
Gemma Farrell

Monday Night Orchestra Musical Director
Ricki Malet

Tuesday Night Orchestra Musical Director
Marty Pervan

Wednesday Night Orchestra Musical Director
Gemma Farrell

2025 Assistant Musical Director
Bob Tweedie

Progressions Program Coordinator
Gemma Farrell

WAYJO NC Program Coordinator
Jess Herbert – northerncorridor@wayjo.com