Debrah Colwill
Co-chair of the Steering Group

Deb is a Mallee resident with a Doctorate in Ag Science and a life-long passion for dance.  She brings a unique perspective and skills to the team.  A passionate community member with many local connection including schools, Mallee Arts group, local dance instructor with DanceSA, and running a farming business with her husband.  Deb is excited about wellbeing and connections.

Julie Wallis
Co-chair of the Steering Group

Julie is a long term Pinnaroo resident and an accomplished artist too. From her studio in Pinnaroo Julie not only provides hair and beauty services but also creates handcrafted glass and jewellery. She is passionate about the arts and the health and wellbeing benefits related to it and is excited to see how the project progresses in the community.

Di Thornton

Di is Pinnaroos local nurse practitioner and owner of Mallee Border Health. She is passionate about the health and wellbeing in regional communities and is very aware of the limits community members face in order to receive adequate health care. She brings a unique perspective to the project and is passionate about its outcome.

Rebecca Niejalke

Bec is a passionately active community member. Personal fitness Instructor and co-founder of the Pinnaroo Fitness, Health & Wellness Inc, local nurse. Bec brings high energy and devotion to everything she is involved in. She had a deep care for everyone and the future of our local community from young too older. 

Michelle Thomas

Michelle was born & bred in Pinnaroo, and has a love and care for the wider Mallee community.  She lives on a farm near Murrayville, Victoria, with her husband, and has an intimate knowledge of cross-border challenges.  With her passion for people, gardening, and her background in finance and education administration, Michelle is a valuable contributor to The Pinnaroo Project team.

Melissa Smyth

Melissa moved to Pinnaroo in 2007 working in potatoes. She has stayed in agriculture but moved into broadacre farming as a contractor and farming leased land with husband. Melissa is a volunteer ambulance officer, helping her community when they most need. She was and still is an active participant in Pinnaroo Project activities and  has been very interested to learn how arts has affected community health and well being, as well as recognising in herself how positively they have impacted her own health

Maz McGann
Advisor

Maz is a specialist arts and cultural consultant who has been part of the Pinnaroo Project from the beginning.  She provides advice and support to the Committee and has been invaluable in linking the project to bigger picture thinking.  In particular Maz has been a driving force behind the research and ensuring that remains a critical part of the project.  She is based in Tanunda in SA but regularly visits the region to confer on the project. 

Morrison Polkinghorne
Hub co-ordinator

Morrison artisan career saw him recreate 18th Century tassels, braids and cords for historic homes and buildings throughout Australia. His passion for weaving saw him built numerous historical looms. While living for almost a decade in Cambodia, he would turn lotus flowers into an ink, and the stalk would become his brush. 2020 Awarded best international artist in Chicago by Art for Life. 2015 Awarded best asian cookbook for The Burma Cookbook which was co-written with his partner. He has held numerous exhibitions globally.