John Mearns
Chair
John Mearns brings a lifetime of diverse experience, community spirit and a deep appreciation for the arts to his role as Chair of ARtS Narrogin.

Raised in Bassendean, John developed a strong sense of community early on, later moving to Armadale where he completed his schooling and enjoyed an active youth playing football, cricket and baseball. His professional journey began unexpectedly in the culinary world, leading to a successful career spanning more than 20 years across notable hotels and restaurants in several Australian states.

A chance opportunity in Kalgoorlie saw John transition into the mining industry, where he built an impressive career over nearly three decades. His work culminated in the delivery of a major 1,600-person Gateway Village project in South Hedland, transforming a red dirt site into a fully realised operation.

John’s connection to the arts is deeply rooted in family. Growing up in a musically rich environment, he was surrounded by performers, including relatives who appeared on ABC radio and played in jazz bands. His early exposure included lively verandah jam sessions and performances that sparked a lifelong love of music and theatre. He learned piano accordion, performed as a lead singer in a band, and regularly attended live performances whenever possible.

His career also intersected with the arts through his role as Catering Manager at TVW7 Perth, supporting major live productions and events, including Telethons and large-scale performances.

In retirement, John remains highly active. Alongside his wife Sue, he has spent recent years restoring a historic 1911 Federation home in Wickepin. He also serves as a town councillor, contributes to local committees, and supports community members through various initiatives.

As Chair of ARtS Narrogin, John is passionate about fostering connection, creativity and cultural opportunity, helping ensure the arts remain a vibrant and unifying force within the community.

John said, “What an amazing team we have here at ARtS Narrogin as well as the many wonderful volunteers & Members. There are even more exciting times ahead especially if the Narrogin Town Hall can become ‘fit for purpose’ Great that in our region we have other community facilities ARtS can use to conduct events.”

Tom D’Arcy
Vice Chair
Tom grew up in Williams and always had keen interest in all things creative. After high-school he moved to Fremantle and began his career in carpentry which later led to project management. During this time Tom decided he’d teach himself to paint, over the next few years he’d explore oils, acrylics, and later after his share house acquired a pottery wheels so he began experimenting with ceramics and sculpting. Being primarily self taught he’s still establishing his style, however for the last  year he’s focussed primarily on his oil painting favouring environmental subjects partially sunset landscapes and highways and has done so across the road at Artretro Gallery & Studio.

Tom’s passion for creativity extends beyond his own work, he is often finding ways to get involved in other projects. He’s taken part in the painting of various murals around Narrogin and Williams, and he was heavily involved with the work of an Indonesian Artist that had a residency in Narrogin in late 2025. 

He is still in the early stages of his career in the arts his passion is only growing stronger by the day.

Felicity Taylor
Treasurer
Felicity Taylor brings a wealth of financial expertise to her role as Treasurer of Arts Narrogin. With eight years of experience at RSM Narrogin, Felicity has been in her current role as an Accountant – Undergrad for the past three years while pursuing a degree in Accounting and Business Law at Curtin Business School.

Prior to her current position, Felicity spent a decade as the Executive Officer at the Facey Group in Wickepin, where she oversaw the administration of one of the largest grower groups in Western Australia. Her tenure involved coordinating grants and research projects aimed at promoting sustainable and profitable agricultural practices in the region.

Since joining the Arts Narrogin board in 2022, Felicity has been instrumental in managing the organisation’s finances. She has played a pivotal role in assisting the Board and staff of Arts Narrogin to utilise all the financial and business advisory innovations available to make effective finance and business decisions to ensure the long term sustainability of the organisation.
In addition to her role as Treasurer of Arts Narrogin, Felicity serves on the boards of various community organizations, including the Narrogin Chamber of Commerce, Narrogin Primary School P&C, Wickepin Netball Club, Wickepin Football Club, Narrogin Junior Basketball Association, and the Narrogin and Districts Netball Association.

Beyond her financial acumen, Felicity is a passionate advocate for the arts and is dedicated to fostering youth and community involvement in creative expression. Outside of her professional commitments, Felicity is a devoted mother to her nine-year-old son and holds the title of undefeated Uno champion in her household.

Courtney Wright
Secretary
Since moving to Narrogin, Courtney has been deep inspired by the positive impact Arts Narrogin has made on the health and wellbeing of the Narrogin community and surrounding areas with the openess to support inititives, apply for funding to bring in new events for our community to contribute and participate within. The feedback from touring artists have been that they can’t wait to return and spend more time in our beautiful part of the world.

Courtney is interested in learning new skills and hope that 2026 brings through the year of the horse vitality and build together a vibrant arts community that further inspires others to contribute and attend events.

She encourages everyone to explore the Arts Narrogin calendar for upcoming events, bus transport options, and opportunities to share ideas for future activities. “Please check out the calender on the Arts Narrigon website for future events information, bus transport options and let us know what type of events you would like in the future. If you have a hidden talent within the arts please let us know so we can see how to help your skills shine, like the hay bale concert which showcased our amazing local artists.” 

Benjamin Parkin
Committee Member
Benjamin is currently principal of Mount Pleasant Primary school. Till December 2024, he was principal of Wickepin Primary School. Prior to Wickepin Primary, Benjamin undertook educational leadership roles at Marble Bar Primary, Forrestfield Primary, Carnarvon Community College, and Deanmore Primary School. Benjamin is passionate about the arts and ensuring regional residents have access to high quality arts programs. He is thrilled to be a member of the Arts Narrogin board and particularly enjoys contributing to policy discussions. 

Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management) and Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary). Prior to joining the education profession, Benjamin worked for the National Australia Bank as Marketing Manager, Branch Manager and Communications Manager across Western Australia and Victoria. Benjamin also worked for the Perth International Arts Festival as Education Officer, across 2010 – 2011 and on the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. 

Kay Weaver
Committee Member
Kay was born in Albany, Western Australia, in 1953. After completing high school in Albany, she married and raised three sons. She worked in a range of roles in country towns across the state until her sons were grown, before moving to Perth and enrolling at Murdoch University in 2001, where she studied Arts (English).

Kay completed a Master of Information Management in 2005 and qualified as a librarian. Her professional career included roles at East Gippsland TAFE and Northam Regional Library, before she was appointed Regional Librarian at Narrogin Library. She retired in 2023 at the age of 70.

Finding retirement lacking in inspiration, Kay completed a Graduate Certificate in Business through AIB in 2025. In 2026, she commenced a Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts at Curtin University. Her interests include writing, drawing, calligraphy, and community arts.

Anita Ray
Committee Member
Anita began her career as a Special Needs primary school teacher, with an arts background that started at the Fremantle School of Arts.

She now works in the disability sector, focusing on creating opportunities for people to develop their own artistic practice. Through art-making, she supports individuals to build self-confidence, motivation, and personal growth.

A multidisciplinary artist, Anita works with pencil, ink and clay. Her practice is grounded in storytelling and deeply connected to nature. She creates thoughtful, reflective pieces that invite connection and quiet contemplation. Anita regularly exhibits and sells her work.

Anita believes art has the power to spark laughter, conversation and new ideas. For her, creating art opens space to share beliefs, values and lived experiences. In a community like Narrogin, art is a powerful way to share the experience of being human and all the highs and lows that come with being alive. Sometimes we believe we are alone, but art can brings us together.

Anita is also passionate about the environment, the beauty of our landscapes, and the strength of community. She values collaboration and and the personal joy of seeing a concept come to life.

Casey Thornton
Business Manager
Casey is a visual artist and arts administrator committed to fostering regional arts and culture. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Art from Curtin University, alongside minors in Visual Culture and Philosophy, Casey joined Arts Narrogin in 2017 after gaining valuable experience at the City of Melville’s Heathcote Museum & Gallery. As a visual artist, Casey’s work has been showcased nationally and is held in collections across Australia, internationally, and even on the Lunar Codex Nova Collection at the Lunar South Pole.

Initially hired as the Communications Officer at Arts Narrogin, Casey excelled in graphic design, marketing & communications, elevating the organisation’s public profile and modernising its systems and processes. Casey transitioned to Business Manager following an organisational restructure. In this role, she oversees overall management, directs marketing and communications, manages grant funding, and coordinates exhibitions and workshops.

Collaborating closely with the Arts Narrogin Board, Casey helps develop and implement long-term strategic plans to address community cultural needs, particularly supporting local creatives.

Brad Flett
Events Manager
Brad brings a wealth of arts management experience to his role as Events Manager at Arts Narrogin. Joining the organization in 2019 as Events Coordinator, Brad has since showcased exceptional leadership and vision. With a background as a Casting Director in the North American Film and Television industry for seven years, Brad has elevated Arts Narrogin’s event programming, earning recognition such as the Circuitwest Presenter of the Year 2022 and the Shire of Narrogin Active Citizenship Award 2024.

Overseeing the significant expansion of Arts Narrogin’s live performance program, Brad has led initiatives to present high-quality and community-appropriate productions. A standout achievement is the 2023 Green Shoots project with the Perth Symphony Orchestra, culminating in the Narrogin Hay Bales Concert, which engaged over 100 local musicians and reached a large online audience, highlighting Brad’s innovative community engagement approach.

Passionate about community involvement, Brad has facilitated numerous programs and workshops with touring productions, reaching diverse audiences including schools and aged care facilities. His dedication to bridging the arts and the community has been pivotal in Arts Narrogin’s growth.

Melanie Noakes
Finance Officer
I moved to Narrogin from Perth in 2005 and really enjoy the country lifestyle! I worked with Main Roads for many years and then left to start my family in 2013. I have 2 beautiful children, Blake and Jordanna and a  wonderful hardworking husband Matt. I absolutely love to dance which I do every Wednesday with Narrogin Dance Centre and look forward to performing at our end of year concerts! 

I have been with Arts Narrogin now since early 2021 and adore my job and fellow workmates. Our bond we have with each other is something special and I cherish our incredible friendships.

The ongoing success of Arts Narrogin is a privilege to be a part of and I am very grateful to all our members and board members and look forward to seeing them at each amazing event that we hold.

Kimberly Williams
Administration Officer & Volunteer Coordinator
Kimberly has been working with Arts Narrogin since 2022, helping bring local arts projects to life and supporting community events and volunteers. Originally from Taiwan, she moved to Australia in 2012 and has loved being part of the Narrogin community ever since.

Outside the office, Kimberly leads the Narrogin Community Choir with lots of heart and energy. She’s been passionate about choral music since she was a kid and continues to grow her skills.

In 2023, she gave her first public piano performance at the PSO Haybales Concerts and is still on her piano-learning journey. Kimberly is all about creating welcoming, fun spaces where people can connect through the arts.

Her motto? “Love your life.” And she really means it.