Our People - Support Act

We acknowledge & pay our respects to First Nations peoples & recognise the role of intergenerational song practitioners in establishing rich & diverse music practices that exist today.

BOARD MEMBERS

Our Board of Directors comprises twelve seats: four positions for Founding Directors; four positions for Member Directors and four positions for Appointed Directors. Founding Members are nominated by AMCOS, APRA, ARIA and PPCA.

Member Directors are elected by Support Act’s membership at the AGM. Appointed Directors are selected by the Board of Directors. As of 10 October 2013, all directors are appointed for a two year term and are able to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. All directors are unpaid and give their time voluntarily.

Lynne Small

Co Chair

Lynne has acted as Company Secretary and Treasurer since 1998, and was appointed Deputy Chair in 2020. She also Chairs our Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

David Albert

Co Chair

David is the CEO of Alberts and is part of the fifth generation to work in the Albert family business.

Alethea Beetson

Alethea Beetson is a Kabi Kabi + Wiradjuri artist and producer living on stolen land in Brisbane.

Jonathan Carter

Jonathan Carter is Head of Legal and Corporate Services at founding member APRA AMCOS.

Linda Courtney

Linda had over 30 years experience working in the music industry when she joined the board in 2013.

Tom Larkin

Tom Larkin has been a career musician for the past 30 years, as the founding member of the NZ rock band Shihad.

Karin Lines

Karin is currently Senior Advisor Mental Health for the Sax Institute. Her career in mental health included clinical work, academic teaching, and many leadership positions.

Millie Millgate

As Executive Producer of Sounds Australia, Millie is responsible for the representation of the Australian music industry at key international music events

John O’Donnell

John O’Donnell, the Managing Director of EMI Recorded Music Australia, is one of the most highly regarded music executives in Australia.

Jacqueline Purcell

Jacqueline Purcell is the Chief Financial Officer at Deputy, a high growth workforce management software company based in Sydney.

John Watson

John Watson is the President of both John Watson Management and the label, Eleven: a music company.

Matt McDevitt

Matt McDevitt is a Board Observer for 2023. Matt is an Associate Director in PwC’s commissioning practice, with 10 years experience working with all levels of government, private and not-for-profit sectors.

AUDIT, RISK AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE

Lynne Small

Co Chair

Lynne has acted as Company Secretary and Treasurer since 1998, and was appointed Deputy Chair in 2020. She also Chairs our Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

Rebecca Quick

Rebecca has a Bachelor in Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Western Sydney and is a member of CA ANZ.

David Albert

Co Chair

David is the CEO of Alberts and is part of the fifth generation to work in the Albert family business.

Jacqui Elmas

Jacqui is currently General Counsel, Chugg Entertainment (part of the Mushroom Group) where she works across the touring and festival business as well as label and artist management with Chugg Music.

OUR STAFF

Meet our dedicated staff members.

Clive Miller

CEO

Clive has a thirty year history in the not-for-profit sector. He started his career as a broadcaster, band manager and promoter.

Lisa Smith

Chief Financial Officer

Lisa is responsible for all financial aspects of the organisation.

Anne Jacobs

National Programs Manager

Anne is a social worker and a passionate music lover and performer.

Cerisa Benjamin

First Nations Programs Lead

Cerisa Benjamin is a proud Walpiri, Gurindji and Jawoyn woman, born and raised in Katherine, NT.

Helen Lear

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER

Helen is a marketing communications specialist, writer and presenter with over 20 years’ experience working in music, entertainment and hospitality.

Brett Drayton

Donor Care and Database Manager

Brett manages Support Act’s database and also works closely with the fundraising team to develop and provide data insights to foster effective and long-term supporter relationships.

Rebecca Shand

Partnerships Manager – Fundraising

Bec brings 30 years of experience and passion to her role from the film and music sector.

Penny Thomas

Industry Relations Manager

Penny’s work and knowledge spans the business, public, creative and community sectors.

Victoria Webber

Individual Giving Manager

Victoria is an experienced marketing professional, having worked in the non-profit sector in the UK in income generation, marketing and digital transformation-focused roles.

Angela Doolan

Crisis Relief Team Leader

Originally from New Zealand, Angela has travelled extensively, and most recently has combined passion for travel with working in remote communities in the Philippines and Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.

Ash King

Wellbeing Content and Programs Lead / Psychologist

Ash is a psychologist, writer/designer and cyberpsychology researcher at the University of Sydney.

William Oui

First Nations Community Engagement / Case Worker

Will is a proud Meriam man from Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait Islands) with strong connections to the Samsep peoples from Erub (Darnley Island).

Tim Coutts-Smith

Crisis Relief Social Worker

Tim is a social worker, touring musician and bedroom producer with eight years’ experience in various facets of mental health and social work.

Jim Lawrie

Crisis Relief Administrator

Jim has over two decades’ experience in Australian music, both behind the scenes and as a singer/songwriter and session drummer.

Craig Smith

Accountant

Craig has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a member of CPA Australia.

Sarah Lay

ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT

Sarah works closely with the Finance & Operations Manager assisting with all finance and accounting duties.

Mel Morris

Community Fundraising and Engagement Associate

Mel is a music lover with over 10 years’ experience in live entertainment through event and venue management.

Katja Krstic

Programs and Communications Coordinator

Katja started working with Support Act as an intern while completing her Bachelor of Business in 2020 and now works full-time within both the communications and programming, education and training teams.

Cooper-Lily Nikora

First Nations Administrative Assistant

Cooper-Lily Nikora is a loud and proud Tūhoe woman from Aotearoa/New Zealand living on Wurundjeri Country.