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About The MAC

The MAC offers the opportunity for local and touring artists (including visual and performing artists) to develop, teach and present their work to audiences.

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The MAC is a not-for-profit community-led arts centre which opened in 2021. It is a place for local multi-disciplinary performing and visual artists to develop and present their work to audiences.

The centre includes a performance space, a gallery, and gallery shop, and a programming space.

In 2020 The MAC received Regional Development Victoria funding, seeded by the Surf Coast Shire, to repurpose the old Sports and Rec Centre in Beach Road, Torquay, into an arts centre, a facility desperately needed by our highly creative community. We are grateful to our partner, Torquay Community Enterprise, the local community giving arm of the Bendigo Bank, who have funded a significant part of the refurbishment.

At The MAC, Performing Arts Management is provided by Torquay Theatre Troupe Inc. and Visual Arts Management is provided by Surf Coast Art Space Inc.’

Meet Our Team

The Board

George Carman

President

George’s geological career has taken him to many parts of the globe working with a variety of cultures. Now semi-retired on the Surf Coast, he has used his business experiences to the art space project since 2014. He has experienced restoring community theatres overseas and has provided supporting roles behind the scenes including much broad-brush set painting. He looks forward to spending more time in his home studio with smaller brushes. George is interested in landscapes from many aspects including environmental, artistically and geologically.

Magdalena Wheatland

Vice President

Magdalena has lived on the Surf Coast since 2012. Her career included program and project management and IT consultancy, successfully blending information technology and business expertise to deliver substantial growth in the public and private sector. During her career, Magdalena delivered large-scale enterprise programs and international projects. She enjoys motivating teams, fostering collaboration, and building consensus among a diverse group of stakeholders. Since their move to Torquay, Magdalena has been involved with various community activities

Ray Ingwersen

Treasurer

Passionate and community focused I am supported with qualifications in Mechanical Engineering (assoc degree) and Accounting(Degree) Having a current position as Treasurer for Anglesea Art House and now as a member of the MAC Board, I look forward to the positive contribution in supporting Arts on the Surfcoast.

Wendy Maitland-Smith

Secretary

Wendy is a local resident, having made Surfcoast her home after working as a Lawyer in the Essendon area for over 40 years. Wendy volunteers at Torquay Community House as a tutor with Young Wolves and wishes to help local community groups thrive and prosper. Wendy hopes her legal experience and expertise will be of assistance to the Board and the Torquay Community.

Trina Butko

Board Member

Trina Butko originated from Perth, WA, and has recently relocated to Torquay, VIC. For over 10 years, Trina was involved in the development and management of economic, social, and environmental strategies and initiatives from Australian regional towns to international cities. Trina has built arts organisations, assisted in the redevelopment of cities, supported businesses, and developed community and economic projects. Additionally, Trina has managed large-scale festivals and events. Trina has worked as a business consultant for the past 9 years, assisting her clients in the conceptual development and management of their businesses.

Meryl Whiteside

Board Member

Meryl started her working life as a professional ice skater and toured throughout Europe and Asia. She worked as a performer and behind the scenes in Theatre, Television, Film, Radio and Print. She also produced, directed, and choreographed her own children’s touring show. Meryl sea changed from Melbourne to the Surfcoast 17 years ago. She has been an active committee member for various local organizations.

Glen Barton

Board member

Glen Barton brings his experience as a performer, visual artist and musician to the board of the MAC. Glen has also been a long time passionate advocate for the arts on the Surf Coast, and was engaged in the development of an original proposal to Surf Coast Shire in 2014 about the potential for the current space to house a thriving arts hub and a place to encourage community engagement in creative activities.

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