Introducing Performing Well Forum Presenters

Jon Hawkes

Sometime circus strongman, underground press editor, lighthouse keeper and bookseller, Jon is the author of the groundbreaking 'The Fourth Pillar of Sustainability: culture's essential role in public planning' (Common Ground, 01) and is one of Australia's leading commentators on cultural policy.  'Fourth pillar thinking' has spread worldwide, with Jon making presentations in the USA, Canada, Spain and New Zealand.

He is the Resident Cultural Analyst with the Cultural Development Network of Victoria and has been Director of Community Music Victoria (01-08), a Fellow of the Community Cultural Development Board (Australia Council) (04-05), Director of the Australian Centre of the International Theatre Institute (91-98), Director of the Community Arts Board of the Australia Council (82-87) and was a founding member of Circus Oz and the Australian Performing Group (Pram Factory).

Kim Walker

CEO/Head of Dance NAISDA Dance College

Kim began dancing with his mother, Margaret Walker AM, and his dancing career began with the Aboriginal and Islander Dance Theatre in 1978.  After joining  Sydney Dance Company he was appointed a principal dancer from 1980 - 1990 during which he danced and performed many lead roles under the artistic direction of Graeme Murphy.  During his time with Sydney Dance Company, Kim also studied at a number of other companies including the Alvin Ailey School in New York.

Kim's chorographic career started with the Sydney Dance Company where he created several new works.   As a freelance choreographer and director Kim has worked with many major companies and directors in Australia including Opera Australia, Melbourne and Sydney Theatre Company, Richard Wherrett, Neil Armfield, Wayne Harrison and Roger Hodegman.  Kim has also done extensive choreographic work for television commercials, musicals, corporate and charity launches and music film clips

In 1998 Kim was appointed as Artistic Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and has not only created a number of new and innovative works but also toured the company both nationally and overseas to great acclaim.

Kim has served as a member of the NSW Ministry for Dance, on the HotHouse Artistic Directorate and the Theatre Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. Kim was also the individual recipient of the Sidney Myer individual award in 1991

In 2007 Kim was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer/Head of Dance of NAISDA  Australia's National Indigenous Dance College.

Victoria Keighery

CEO Community Cultural Development NSW

Victoria (Vic) Keighery has worked in the arts since 1977 including positions with the Crafts Councils of Australia and NSW, the Australia Council, NSW Community Arts Association, Community Arts Marrickville, Creative Cultures in Western Sydney and Arts Training Australia.

Prior to taking up the position of CEO for Community Cultural Development NSW in 2006, she was the CEO for Regional Arts NSW from 2000 to 2006 and the Cultural Policy Officer for the City of Sydney from 1996 to 2000.  From 1989 to 2000 she also freelanced as an arts and cultural consultant undertaking conferences, research, policy development, management reviews and strategic planning with organisations such as Accessible Arts, NAVA, Ausglass, Reverse Garbage Truck, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.  She has conducted arts and cultural planning for Mackay City Council, Drummoyne and Ryde City Councils and written policy, procedures and strategies for South Sydney Council, the Honeysuckle Development Project in Newcastle and Arts Training NSW.

She holds a Grad Dip and Master of Arts (Arts Management) from the University of Technology, Sydney, and has lectured part-time at UTS, COFA and the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association. She has written curricula and tutored for the NSW Community Arts Association (now CCDNSW).