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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 at 77 Beach Road, Torquay, into an arts centre, a facility desperately needed by our highly creative community.

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 has had an interesting and varied career as a geologist, in management, consulting and lecturing roles. His work has taken him to many different parts of the globe working across a variety of cultures.

Now semi-retired and residing on the Surf Coast, George has used his business acumen towards art space projects since 2014.

George has also worked behind the scenes in theatres locally and overseas, restoring community theatres and broad-brush set painting.

An artist himself, George is interested in landscapes from many aspects including environmental, artistically, and geologically, and looks forward to spending more time in his home studio working with smaller brushes.

Ray Ingwersen

Treasurer

Ray serves as Treasurer and is dedicated and passionate about community engagement.

Backed by qualifications in Mechanical Engineering (associate degree) and Accounting (Degree), Ray brings a unique blend of technical and financial expertise to his roles.

Currently holding the position of Treasurer at Anglesea Art House as well as the MAC Committee, Ray is committed to making a positive impact by championing the arts on the Surf Coast.

Meryl Whiteside

Secretary

Meryl has had an impressive career in theatre, performing arts, media, and community engagement.

Meryl has a comprehensive knowledge of the media, having worked as a Producer at ABC TV and the Herald Sun, and hosted her own guest spot on local radio.

Additionally, she brings a wealth of theatrical expertise, having participated in both professional acting and amateur performances, and worked behind the scenes at several prominent theatres in Melbourne.

A current Justice of the Peace, Meryl has also served on various committees across the Surf Coast and Geelong and owned an events company.

Meryl’s technical expertise and operational understanding of the arts make her a valuable asset to the Committee, and she pledges to use her experience to champion regional arts development that benefits the wider community.

Meryl is currently in the research phase of writing a book.

Jock Jeffries

Board member

Jock is a professional accountant and has worked extensively in senior management roles, including CEO and CFO, for a variety of small to medium sized enterprises.

Jock has served on numerous not-for-profit boards and most recently held the position of Chair at Western Edge Youth Arts Inc. His passion lies in text-based theatre, and he consistently goes the extra mile to explore new galleries.

Barbara Paolini

Board member

Governance Officer providing governance and secretariat support to boards, sub committees and executives, Barbara holds a Diploma in Business Administration and brings her strong administrative skills to the Committee.

Barbara’s own journey with creativity has been diverse, having dappled in acting and dance in her early years, moving to several photography and oil painting classes, and more recently delving into pottery. Barbara finds joy in the creative process and values the importance of artistic expression.

Barbara is passionate about social justice, our environment and equality, and since moving to the Surf Coast in 2017, hopes to get behind more community projects.

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