The Foundation
Arts Gold Coast Foundation is the catalyst for cultural growth and artistic innovation. We champion emerging talent, nurture creative ambition, and unite communities through the transformative power of the arts. By expanding opportunities and amplifying voices, we ensure the Gold Coast shines as a beacon of creativity – where culture thrives and talent is celebrated.
Chairman's Welcome
Arts Gold Coast Foundation Chairman Patrick Wallas
We all lead busy lives, lives that sometimes steer us away from the things that perhaps matter most – family, friends and an appreciation for those influences that seek to call us out of our routine lives; to elevate us beyond the immediate; to satisfy that longing in our souls that has always known we need something more.
I am so very proud to be Chair of The Arts Gold Coast Foundation, because I believe we are an organization that can make a difference by stirring souls across our great city.
Our focus will always be on youth, because a love of the arts, an understanding of their collective powers (visual, performing, cinematic), should properly take place when we first start to grow and emerge into the people we are destined to be. Whether it is opera, a symphony that moves us to tears, Paul McCartney singing ‘Let it Be,’ dancers dazzling us in ways that leave us breathless, we all know, whether we care to admit it or not, that the arts play a vital role in encouraging us to reach for that nebulous, wonderful space where we, perhaps for a moment, get a glimpse of our shared humanity which requires of us only love, love of ourselves and love for each other.
So I ask you please to support us in our endeavours to acquaint the magnificent people of the Gold Coast, young and old, with the transformative potential in the arts – the vehicle for human aspiration since time began. You have my word that every dollar pledged will go directly to support aspiring artists. We are all happy volunteers, grateful for the chance to give something back, but we dearly need your support. Help us please to make a difference.
Arts Gold Coast Foundation Board
Patrick Wallas
CHAIR
Patrick Wallas was born and bred in England where he attended Lancing College and was appointed Head Boy. He then attended Manchester College, Oxford (now Harris Manchester College) where he received a 1st Class Honours degree in English Literature. After a few successful years in business he decided he wanted to be a teacher and attended Balliol College, Oxford for his post graduate studies. He emigrated to Australia in 1987, teaching for six years at Pembroke College in Adelaide, then seven years at Hale School in Perth, before being appointed Headmaster of All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast, a position he held for 23 years prior to retiring in 2024. As the Foundation’s Chair, he is relishing leading an organization that helps to feed his abiding passion for the arts.
Ian Kennedy
SECRETARY
Ian is a lawyer from New Zealand who became involved in community theatre when he started legal practice in 1987. During the 1990’s Ian established the Queenstown Shakespeare Trust, a community theatre group performing regularly in Queenstown New Zealand. Ian was managing practice director at one of the Gold Coasts oldest law firms from 2009 and in 2017 he became involved with FOTA helping to update their governing documents and then assisting in the evolution to being more than just a supporter of the Gold Coast Arts Centre. Ian has been a board member of FOTA since 2017 much of that time as president and now secretary.
Richard Munro
TREASURER
Richard is an experienced CPA and financial professional. As a past President of CPA Australia Gold Coast, he demonstrates strong leadership in the accounting community. Richard has previously served for 8 years as a Director on the Board of the Gold Coast Arts Centre, supporting the arts and community development. He also continues to contribute as a Board Director of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, fostering local arts and culture. He also served as a Director at Gold Coast TAFE, enhancing education and training initiatives. His extensive background in finance, leadership, and community service positions him as a trusted expert dedicated to both professional excellence and community engagement.
Marilyn Strauss
Marilyn has been deeply connected to the Gold Coast’s arts and business communities for more than four decades. As Director of eCBD for nearly 30 years, she has worked closely with local organisations to grow their online reach and contribute to a thriving creative and commercial community.
A dedicated arts advocate, Marilyn has served on the Friends of the Arts Foundation committee for six years, including three as President. Watching her eldest daughter train intensively in ballet before building a successful career as a writer and producer inspired Marilyn’s commitment to helping young people engage with the arts. She believes early arts exposure helps create future cultural ambassadors and tastemakers for the Gold Coast.
Nick Scott
Nick has spent thirty-eight (38) years working in senior roles within the media; much of this time being based on the Gold Coast. He has held the positions of Director, Group General Manager, General Manager and National Sales Director. Nick retired from his full-time position with Southern Cross Austereo in 2016; operators on the Gold Coast of television brands Southern Cross Ten, 11 and One as well as broadcasting stations 90.9 Sea FM Gold Coast and 92.5 Triple M Gold Coast.
His commitment to the industry has been evidenced by main Board positions with Commercial Radio Australia and membership of national industry bodies overseeing Regional Australia, Research and Sales/Marketing/Codes/Branding. Nick owns and operates his own Business/Media Consultancy ‘TGM’; consulting to local, national and international organisations. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Tasmania. Presently, Nick sits on various local Boards including Gold Coast Eisteddfod (Chair) and Regional Development Australia – Gold Coast Chapter (Chair).
Geoff Smith
Geoff has practiced as a lawyer in the city of Gold Coast since January 1978 and is a Notary Public. He has served on many Gold Coast community boards including Regional Development Australia, Connecting Southern Gold Coast, Gold Coast Film Fantastic and the Gold Coast Titans Foundation. Geoff is a current director of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod (Gold Coast Tropicarnival Ltd a position he has held for over 20 years.
As a resident of the City of Gold Coast for over 60 years, Geoff is passionate in developing and promoting the culture and identity of our city through arts and sport.
Marion Charlton
Marion Charlton is a highly regarded executive with an exceptional track record in aviation, infrastructure and commercial leadership, both in Australia and internationally. As Group Chief Operating Officer of Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), she leads the strategic direction of operations and commercial performance across the group’s four airports.
Marion has played a pivotal role in some of the sector’s most significant projects, including overseeing the transformational Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion, which doubled the airport’s footprint and positioned it for future growth. Her career has also included operational experience at both Atlanta and Sydney airports during the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, which she later drew on to deliver Gold Coast Airport’s operations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Deeply committed to community and governance, Marion is a former Trustee of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation, former Chair of Placemakers, and currently serves on the Board of Bond University.
Executive Director
Karen Phillips OAM
Karen Phillips OAM brings a long-standing commitment to the arts, leadership development, and community impact, underpinned by extensive experience in shaping initiatives that deliver meaningful and lasting outcomes.
In her role as Executive Director of the Arts Gold Coast Foundation, Karen provides strategic leadership with a focus on philanthropy, partnership development, and the creation of sustainable pathways for artists and creative communities.
Her work is driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts and their essential role in building vibrant, connected, and culturally rich communities.
Karen is guiding the Foundation through this important phase of its evolution – building on more than five decades of legacy to strengthen and support the future of arts and culture on the Gold Coast.
Emerging Icons
Samantha Strauss
Samantha Strauss is an internationally acclaimed Australian writer, showrunner and executive producer, and co-founder of the production label Picking Scabs in partnership with See-Saw Films. Renowned for her incisive, intelligent storytelling, she was the creator and showrunner of Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, one of the most celebrated and awarded productions of 2025. Her impressive screen credits include Nine Perfect Strangers and The Last Anniversary. In 2025–2026, she will write and showrun Grown Upsfor Netflix UK, continuing to shape globally resonant, compelling stories that captivate audiences and critics alike
Ingram Fan
Ingram Fan is currently studying violin at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under the guidance of Associate Professor Michele Walsh. He began learning the violin at age seven and has since won several awards, including the Vicky Speight Trophy for “Most Outstanding Soloist in Strings” at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, the Nancy Weir Music Scholar Award from the Music Teachers Association of Queensland, and the Beverly McIlwain Scholar Award in 2017 from the Gift Fund Committee, Friends of Arts. He placed second in the Young Instrumental section of the internationally recognised Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition in 2018, and first in the Paganini Prize at the Queensland Conservatorium in 2022.
Yve-Noelle Bollinger
Yve-Noelle Bollinger is a rising ballet artist of exceptional promise, currently undertaking full-time training at the world-renowned San Francisco Ballet School (Level 7) in 2025. Her foundation was shaped at the Amanda Bollinger Dance Academy on the Gold Coast, where she trained intensively across classical ballet, repertoire, pas de deux, contemporary and more. Yue has achieved outstanding Distinctions in both Vaganova Ballet Conservatoire and Moiseyev Character examinations, reflecting her technical excellence and artistry. She is also completing a Certificate IV in Dance, embodying both discipline and dedication as she emerges as a compelling young talent to watch. Yve-Noelle received a Grant from Gift Fund Committee, Friends of Arts in 2025 and 2024 to further her studies.