Showcasing the outstanding creative talents of the NSW Southern Highlands.

SHAC — Southern Highlands Artisans Collective — is a not-for-profit organisation bringing together some of the most talented artists and artisans in the Highlands under one roof.

Our talented Committee members do much of the behind the scenes work. Between us, we cover Arts Administration and Education, Advertising and Branding, Legal issues and Financial matters.

SHAC, opened in May 2019 in its original location in Robertson, which was a dynamic destination where visitors could see a diverse range of artisans and artists at work in their studios creating work or browsing in dedicated art gallery spaces.

Since then, the SHAC temporarily moved to the Old Town Hall Bowral and then moved back to Robertson in November 2023 to continue highlighting the work of local artists

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The SHAC Board members and staff

Jeremy Perrott, President

A celebrated global advertising creative director of over 30 years and an awarded graphic design career before that. Jeremy has a rich background in communication holding Executive Creative Director roles in the Multinational Agency McCann Erickson London, Tokyo, and Seoul. Regional Creative Director of Asia and Europe and Global Creative Director based in New York.

His work spans clients such as Nestle, Johnsson and Johnsson, Levis, GM, LOreal, Microsoft, Ford Bennetton Car Racing, Pfizer, Merk Sanofi and many more.

Chairman of Judges Cannes Lions and creator of the United Nations Foundation Award for Good.

He has sat as judge or chairman at most of advertising’s top shows.

As president of SHAC he believes creativity is a human instinct and creating an environment where we support, inspire and celebrate artists and their work is a duty of love and admiration to their talent.

Annie Holcombe, Vice President

Annie has strong ties with both the business and arts communities in the Southern Highlands. She is a painter, ceramicist and textile artist based in Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. She exhibits widely in Australia and overseas. Her work is held in public and private collections. She is currently working on a public art project to create paintings that will be used in the lifts at the new Westmead and Prince of Wales Children’s Hospitals in Sydney.

Before becoming a full-time artist several years ago Annie worked in the travel industry and for 14 years with the Blissett Group where she was part of the team involved in the design, marketing and building of Anthem Retirement Village and the Forge Apartments in Mittagong. Annie went on to be the Admissions Manger of Anthem Aged Care. In recent years, Annie was President of the Friends of Sturt for several years, working with volunteers to plan gallery events and fundraising initiatives.

Doug Spahn, Treasurer

Doug Spahn is an Accountant and CEO who has led diverse and complex organisations across Australia and Singapore. A natural leader, he has built a reputation for inspiring his teams to achieve their personal best.

Doug is now an executive search expert, behaviour coach, and executive career advisor, challenging leaders to stretch and achieve beyond their expectations.

He is also the Managing Director NSW for The CEO Institute, a peer-to-peer advisory network that believes no leader should walk alone.

Doug is an RFS volunteer bush firefighter, SHAC treasurer, and Vinnies CEO Sleepout fundraiser. He is committed to supporting the development of a unique artistic hub within the Southern Highlands.

Jenny Clift, Secretary

Jenny Clift was an international commercial lawyer specialising in international insolvency law with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in Vienna for more than 20 years.

Living in Vienna gave her the opportunity not only to expand her sewing skills by learning draping and pattern-making skills with Christine Mayer from Berlin but also to indulge a passion for collecting vintage European linens and other fabrics. Retirement has now given her the time and space to further explore and develop those skills using that collected stash, as well as Japanese vintage fabrics, complemented by stitching.

She recently participated in the exhibition “A Common Thread" at The SHAC. As a recent exhibitor and now a member of the SHAC Committee, Jenny is keen to support The SHAC in developing its community and finding a new home with room for studios for upcoming artists and a larger gallery space.

Maurice Goldberg

Maurice Goldberg leverages creativity to drive innovation and to change the way we think and connect. He brings clarity, self-expression, and expansive thinking to engage teams and push organisations beyond their limits. Maurice has founded some of Australia’s fastest-growing businesses, earning a spot in BRW Magazine’s Fast100 three times. For over 30 years, he’s led companies in Financial Services, Real Estate, Marketing, and Public Art & Design, always driving revolutionary thinking.

Over the past decade, Maurice has also produced significant public art, with exhibitions from Sydney to New York and London. Known for his bold use of pattern, scale, and colour, he excels at facilitating collaborations with leaders, artists and communities.

“I am thrilled to join the SHAC because of my understanding of its vision to build a stronger, more inclusive and effective place for creatives to share themselves with the wider community. I believe in the collective power of creativity to make a better world and I love being a part of this particularly smart and motivated group of fellow leaders.”

Cintia Lemann

Cintia Yamane Lemann is an Architect turned Designer turned Ceramicist. She is a Japanese Brazilian living in Australia for 20 years and in the Southern Highlands for 12.

During her over 20 years working as an Architect/Designer she worked in various projects, from graphic to urban design, both in Brazil and Australia, for clients like Volkswagen, Frasers Hospitality, St George Bank, CPA Australia and others. She is now a full time ceramicist working out of her studio in Glenquarry.

She is excited to join the committee and help build the SHAC community.

Erin Corlette

After graduating at the National Art School (NAS) in East Sydney, Darlinghurst, in the 1960’s she began her work as a designer at various agencies in Sydney. In 1979, Erin founded and established Corlette Design which today has offices in Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai and London.

Erin is based in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, where she has a studio in the grounds of a beautiful garden. Erin’s painting practice explores the flora and landscape which serves as an endless source of inspiration through its seasonal colours.

Her art is energised by her profound passion for colour and the constant inspiration she draws from the wonders of nature that surround her every day.

Over the past year, Erin’s work has been exhibited in galleries across the Southern Highlands, Newcastle, and Sydney. She was selected as a finalist in the Newcastle Art Space “Clouds 3’’ 2024 exhibition.

“I am extremely grateful to the SHAC for giving me the opportunity to have my first solo exhibition and would like to contribute in some positive way by joining the Committee.”

Vanessa Porter

Vanessa’s reputation has been built on providing strategic advice to businesses on people and culture challenges. Her passion is helping clients carve out the time and space to focus on what really matters to them, their people, and their stakeholders.

Vanessa has held senior executive roles for major global companies, across industries and markets. These include Staging Connections, McDonald’s, Vero Insurance, Disney Stores (UK) and the Australian Retailers Association. Her focus has been developing talent and cultivating positive workplace cultures.

Prior to starting her own consultancy in 2015, her most recent position was General Manager – People & Culture for the National Rugby League (NRL). In this role, Vanessa led the organisation through significant cultural change. Her strategy helped set the NRL up for future success as a modern professional sport; she was the first woman to hold this role.

She is delighted to join SHAC as a committee member. Vanessa said “It’s an honour to support such a vibrant collective that celebrates creativity and the arts in our local community. I’m ignited to contribute to fostering the collaboration and innovation that SHAC represents.

Jade Bull, Administration Manager

Jade Bull is a visual artist who has participated in public murals around the Greater Sydney and Southern Highlands area, and has contributed to numerous exhibitions since 2017.

Jade brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and being involved as a Gallery Associate for the Wellington Art Gallery, where she excelled in gallery management.

Her exceptional background in both the creative and administrative sides of gallery operations has allowed Jade to support local artists and artisans in their endeavors.

Being an artist who understands the challenges faced in building a career in the arts, Jade has joined the SHAC Gallery and its vision for engaging with and supporting artists.

Jane Cush, Curator

Born Surrey, United Kingdom. Lives and works in Southern Highlands.

I joined the SHAC as President and Artistic Director in 2021, bringing my experience as a gallery director and artistic director in Goulburn and Canberra respectively. I saw and still see the SHAC as a unique arts organisation in the region. We offer emerging and established artists the opportunity to show their works in a professional gallery space. The team I’ve worked with have enabled me to provide a high level of commitment and a standard that produces very high outcomes for its artists.

Now as co-curator with Susan Buret, I will continue to bring the best of artists to our region.

Scott Dunstan, Digital Marketing

A seasoned marketing professional with extensive experience in developing and executing successful marketing strategies across multiple industries. Currently serving as the Head of Marketing at Argyle Housing, Scott leverages over 25 years of expertise in graphic design, marketing, and creative direction to enhance brand awareness and drive growth. His role involves crafting and implementing marketing strategies that align with the organisation’s mission to provide affordable housing in Australia.

As the founder of Dunstan Design, Scott has partnered with global brands like McDonald’s and Toyota, delivering bespoke branding solutions. Passionate about creativity and innovation, he thrives on collaborating with cross-functional teams to create impactful campaigns and brand narratives. Scott previously served on the SHAC Board and now manages communications for SHAC.