For almost 15 years, working with a broad range of employees, contractors, committees, clients and mentors, my company HHO Events, produced over 300 events across Australia with successful outcomes on many levels. The emphasis is on the value of relationships and working together to turn visions, dreams and goals into successful realities. My driving principle is to do the right thing and do good business that is measured not only by financial gain, but by adherence to good principles, good value and good fun!
Following is a snapshot of some clients I have worked with in the past few years. (for a full list from 2001 – 2014 click here)
Mungo Man – Return to Country
It is a great honour to work with traditional owners, the Barkandji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa people, to create a ceremony to commemorate the return of 100+ Willandra ancestral remains, including Mungo Man, to country. The Willandra Lakes Region Traditional Owners have lobbied for the return and repatriation of their ancestors remains for decades and now, after 43 years, the time has finally come for Mungo Man and his kin to Return to Country and be reunited with Mungo Lady, their country, their home in November 2017.
Mildura Writers’ Festival
Festival Director and General Manager from 2003 until 2011 producing this much loved and usually sold out festival, including the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal, working closely with Artistic Director Paul Kane and Patron Les Murray. In 2016 and 2017 I returned to provide consultancy support to the Festival to maintain the brand as it transitioned through management change.
Arts Mildura
Working with this regional arts organisation and stakeholders to develop strategies, good governance and strong management as it transitions through change towards establishing itself as a dynamic and relevant leader in regional arts. The organisation presents events and arts programs annually including the Mildura Summer Music Festival, the Mildura Writers Festival, Mildura Contemporary Practice (Visual Arts) and a contemporary Arts Festival including Jazz starting in 2018.
Werai Nation Meeting
Coaching the Werai Aboriginal Negotiating Team (WANT), who represent traditional owners Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba, Barapa Barapa/Perepa Perepa Nations to increase capacity. Conducting a series of workshops to support the delivery of the second Werai Nation meeting to report back to community options for handback and a management model for the Werai Group of Forests.
Australian Print Triennial
What a privilege to work with the Art Vault to initially manage the marketing of this ambitious event, then move onto include event management in the last months to ensure successful outcomes. 175 entries worldwide in the Print prize, over 150 delegates at the Forum, gorgeous dinner at Ampelon Gardens and an impromptu performance by Robyn Archer. Wow!
Complex Pain Art Project
Working with artist Nic Plowman and Pain Management nurse, Bertilla Campbell, , I project managed and developed stories for people who suffer from complex and chronic pain as they developed an artwork depicting their journey. The project culminated in a successful exhibition and compelling outcomes for people usually isolated by their condition. For an in depth wrap up of the project check out this blog.
Australian Inland Botanic Gardens
In 2015 I ran a Strategic Planning workshop for the board of this volunteer driven initiative on the NSW Victorian border. We developed branding and PR ideas and I went on to successfully source funding to support the next stage of this visionary garden designed as a repository for Australian native plant materials and a large collection of plant species found throughout the world.
Mt Grenfell Historic Site Celebration
In 2014 I coached and mentored a group of traditional owners and Parks staff to present a celebration marking ten years since handback of the Mt Grenfell Historic site. It was such a pleasure to upskill this hardworking group and to attend the event on the 10th July, walk through their significant country, yarn around the campfire and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
NSW National Parks
I worked closely with traditional owners, Parks staff and community to deliver Handback forums, ceremonies and celebrations throughout NSW including Mutawintji, Toorale, Werai Forest, Taroo (former Moorna, Wangumma and Lake Victoria State Forest) as well as the grand opening of newest National Park in NSW, Yanga NP in 2011.
Producer, Indigenous Program, Centenary of Canberra
Involving over 150 local and world renowned artists and performers from across Australia in more than 50 projects and events, the Centenary of Canberra celebrates 100 years of Canberra as the national capital and thousands of years of Indigenous culture.
Producer, Kungkarangkalpa: Seven Sisters Songline
A performance of the ancient Western Desert epic song saga presented by ANANGU Dancers in partnership with the Australian National University ARC Linkage project: Alive With Dreaming! Songlines of the Western Desert and the Centenary of Canberra at the National Museum of Australia in March 2013. Watch at http://sevensisterssongline.com/
Arts Mildura
I was Executive Director for six years until 2012, delivering a 5 year strategic plan, re-branding the organisation, amalgamating 5 events under the one umbrella and securing major festival status from Arts Victoria in additional to major national sponsor and funding partnerships. I handed a thriving highly regarded regional arts organisation over to new management early in 2013 and looked forward to simply being a punter.
Mildura Writers’ Festival
I was Festival Director from 2003 until 2011 producing this much loved and usually sold out festival, including the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal, working closely with founders Donata Carrazza and Stefano de Pieri, Artistic Director Paul Kane and Patron Les Murray
Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
I was Festival Director from 2006 until 2012 and produced vibrant events engaging community and visitors alike and including the community favourite Mardi Gras Parade and regional must do Perry Sandhills Concert which drew record breaking crowds.
Murray River International Music Festival
In 2003, I co-founded this event, held across three states of Australia, with Stefano and Sergio de Pieri bringing international and Australian musicians to present beautiful music in beautiful locations.
Mildura Palimpsest
I produced, in 2009 and 2011, this biennial visual arts event that invites artists to engage with the cultural and natural environment of the Mildura and Murray Darling region.
Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
I have been managing the fastest growing, funkiest wine shows in Australia since 2001 and can’t quite let go. Maybe it’s the fabulous wine and great fun! The Show provides an alternative to the mainstream shows and is a dedicated forum for emerging varieties and passionate people.
Mallee District Aboriginal Service
In 2013 we launch the Service’s new brand, restructured workplace and future direction to community and corporate partners as well as the official opening of the new Community Health Centre.
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
With the 50th anniversary of the organisation in 2014, Helen delivered the Event Management for Hotties workshop to ensure the staff were up-skilled and armed with strategies for a series of events throughout the year
Canberra Cultural Organisations Capacity Building Project
I was commissioned in 2014 to identify Indigenous arts organisations and Individuals who have potential for support leading to sustainability and provide recommendations, strategies and to improve and increase outcomes in their arts practice.
Mungo Youth Project
From 2006 to 2013, I worked working closely with Willandra Lakes World Heritage stakeholders and regional schools to engage young Indigenous people and the broader community in culture, heritage and the deep history of Australia. In 2013 we developed a new website, completed a comprehensive Event Management plan and handed management over to a new team who took the event to the next level of awesomeness in March 2014
First Peoples’ National Water Summit 2012
This important event focused on the development of a nationally agreed position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on emerging and important indigenous water policy issues in Australia. The Summit is being hosted by the First Peoples’ Water Engagement Council (FPWEC) with the support of the National Water Commission
Saltwater Women’s Gathering 2012
Presented by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority, HHO Events worked with CTG Services, to manage a three day gathering for women working in land and sea management with a connection to the Great Barrier Reef.
Indigenous Land & Sea Management Conference
Held in Broken Hill in 2010, the NILSMC bought together traditional owners, Indigenous leaders and organisations working in the environmental conservation industry across Australia to share knowledge and sustainable natural resource and cultural heritage management.