The Board 2026 – 2027
(as at the Annual General Meeting held on the 15 June, 2026)
Jenuarrie HonDUni CQU
President from 2023 – current
Previously President from 2016 – 2020
Jenuarrie’s Traditional country is Koinjmal (eastern coastal plains of Central Queensland). She was born and educated in Rockhampton and began a career in the arts in 1984 after graduating from the Cairns TAFE College with an Associate Diploma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts (3 years).
She completed numerous certificate courses for adult learners achieving higher qualification levels relevant to her visual arts practice as an artist and industry arts worker. She has been Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Board Visual Arts Panel, Committee member on their National Committee and Visual Arts, Craft and Design of the Australia Council peer assessment and policy development in the beginning of her career. She was a Panel Member on the Arts Advisory Committee to the Minister for the Arts in the Arts Office (now Arts Queensland) in those early years and worked for 14 years with Arts Queensland as the FNQ Industry Development Consultant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art until retiring in 2012 to write and publish her book.
Jenuarrie resides and works in Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country and pays respect to wise Elders past, present and emerging.
Shirley-Ann Rowley – Secretariat
2025 – current
Shirley-Ann is a passionate and highly experienced professional with a diverse background in nursing, community development, creative production, and adult education. As a natural communicator and connector, Shirley-Ann brings warmth and professionalism to everything from direct client support to major event planning. Her strengths lie in empowering others, creating culturally inclusive community programs, and leading projects across health, arts, and education sectors.
Neal Robinson
2023 – current
An aspiring Silversmith and casting technician, an avid consumer of performing arts, Neal has a love of theatre, festivals, music and concerts. He had the great privilege of being mentored in the craft of wood carving from Kuranda based Master Craftsman, John Williams.
Over the years Neal has been a member of End Credits and Tropical Arts, working on two productions of “Shakespeare at the Tanks” utilizing his skills for set building and costume making and was a regular participant of Song Connection socially inclusive performance group.
Neal brings to the board skills in human resource management, 20 years working for local government and previously on the management committee from 2014-2016, having supported Arts Nexus since it’s inception. Born and bred in Far North Queensland, Neal is committed to ensuring our community has access to arts and culture.
Cheryl Taylor-White
2024 – current
Cheryl’s interest in the visual arts commenced in adolescence having been exposed to several art forms by family members who themselves dabbled in several mediums visual painting, theatre, music and sculpting. Later selling works as a high school student at local events and galleries (charcoal medium and pen and ink collages).
Began work in the scientific field of clinical Immunology before migration – specialized in field free radial research, eg auto immune. A USA migrant in 1988 to Australia Cheryl worked as coordinator (5 years) for “YouthLink”, an adolescent health centre in Cairns, expanding its reach into other social services addressing the needs of disenfranchised youth 12-25 year olds. This journey was very rewarding when working with sexual health messaging at the time, AIDs eduction, blood borne diseases etc.
Here too the arts played a significant role in supporting the expression of young people and in promoting partnerships with the creative arts organizations that emerged and were sustained; Jute Theatre, Graft’N’Arts, etc
As Legal compliance Officer Cairns City Council (5 years) Cheryl was responsible to 120 pieces of regulatory legislation whilst promoting compliance training and practices for 1000 strong and very diverse skilled staff cohort. Role was also tasked as Secretariat to Audit Committee, Office of local Govt Ombudsman, and reported on matters of concern raised within Council to the CCC as required. Position was made redundant in preference for appointed legal services following an election year. Moved to a role with state government in accepting an appointment as Coordinator in expansion of Restorative Justice framework in the FNQ catchment.
Life’s experiences as both an industry person (owned and operated 3 businesses) and that of a long standing public servant. Currently Cheryl’s work focus is holistically aligned with community development and early intervention when addressing vulnerable young people and their families who are over represented in the legal / justice system, based at the Cairns Safer Streets program.
Richard Martin
2024 – current
With many years of experience in Radio from 4TTT-FM in Townsville – actively engaged in all aspects of broadcasting and station administration, with particular interest in maintaining and developing the financial security for the company. And then on to be employed at 3PBS-FM (Melbourne) carrying out many roles and fundraising
Involved in a range of outdoor festivals which incorporate live and electronic dance music, in conjunction with Large Scale Installation Art, Participatory Art, Lifestyle and Conferencing elements, including:-
- Confest
- Earthcore
- Rainbow Serpent Festival
- Outback Eclipse
- Burning Man (America) – attending 6 festivals
- Burning Seed (Australia’s first Official Regional Burning Man Event)
- Currently regional contact for the North Queensland region
A founding director of Red Earth City Pty Ltd which established Burning Seed as Australia’s first regional Burning Man event. Keen interest is ensuring strategic plans are implemented and regularly reviewed, to maintain relevance and practical execution.
Carmel Pegrum
2024 – current
Born into a musical theatrical local family of Cairns, Carmel was on stage signing from the age of 7 and encouraged by her grandmother, a founding member of the Cairns Little Theatre. Both her daughters have careers in theatre and circus. Having run a picture framing business in Cairns for over 18 years, Carmel supported most of the professional visual artists of the region. For over 40 years Carmel ran a recording studio with her husband. Now in retirement, Carmel is a tour guide and avid ukulele player and performer.
NQ produces an immense amount of talent in all aspects of arts and much of it does not receive the exposure it deserves. Carmel would like to assist in the promotion of our region as creatives and to mentor promising artists.
Joy Zahner
2025 – current
Joy grew up on a beef cattle farm, enrolled in a city high school and moved states to study music at tertiary level. Then she discovered the harp. After playing in professional orchestras, at weddings and events in picturesque locations and in 5 star hotels, Joy also offers harp sessions for stress reduction and vibrational healing, focussing on youth. For over 35 years she has guided students of all ages on their musical journey with piano and harp.
Joy has radio programming and presenting experience, and has given devoted administration support to both arts and educational organisations in Queensland.
Joy has 3 adult children and has a passion for travel, nutrition, poetry, permaculture and tiny house living.